tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8564345687442127552024-03-18T01:06:07.704-07:00FlashbacksSome Unforgettable Momentsjahidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097607781740943913noreply@blogger.comBlogger199125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856434568744212755.post-63574785484337345752018-12-22T08:03:00.001-08:002018-12-22T08:05:11.283-08:00Aamsotto, a fiction<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8j5RbMzVgkZsOq3jGO330AXSAIuRV63KAjceY8Tlhw7bhja_Q0CraUIg6lkalGprUyfAWcO22amM-7uXlNxWPBdMH8EBGLsKgdEY1n-0E0-qH-LVyn8vjzn7e1OQDiu2ytXaCZdM3EOM/s1600/aamsotto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="295" data-original-width="466" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8j5RbMzVgkZsOq3jGO330AXSAIuRV63KAjceY8Tlhw7bhja_Q0CraUIg6lkalGprUyfAWcO22amM-7uXlNxWPBdMH8EBGLsKgdEY1n-0E0-qH-LVyn8vjzn7e1OQDiu2ytXaCZdM3EOM/s320/aamsotto.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>"Autumn has arrived. 'Pujo-Pujo Elo', is how people describe it out there. No doubt, it's truly the city of joy. Once the intellectual and cultural capital of India, Kolkata still has an attractive old-world charm. Durga puja in Kolkata is simply out of the world. There’s unique euphoria and people can almost smell it in the air. The only thing we can say about Durga puja out there is, 'Crazy Kolkata'.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Long holidays... and it’s not only limited to schools and colleges. Even offices across West Bengal remain closed for at least a week. Jubilation all around. Everyone is in the mood of festivity and joy. The puja celebration is simply amazing. It’s a very significant socio-cultural event. Kolkata puja is all about the streets and the backstreets. The entire city celebrates. Even the deadliest corners and congested alleys are illuminated with lights. Every nook and corner of the city remains overcrowded during the 4 days of puja celebration. To control the traffic, bamboo barricades are built to create effective walkways. This is the time of the year when the City of Joy truly lives up to its name. Lights, food, music... so colorful! Not to forget the puja bell sound ‘Ting Ting’, the long sankha sound 'Poooooooooo ...', drums and dhunuchi dance.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>People come out on the streets in the evening, with their best attires to experience the carnival. Several pandals are built in localities, neighbourhoods and in housing complexes where the goddess Durga is installed and worshipped. The pandals are decorated very beautifully with host of lights and designs. People usually come out in groups, with friends and families. They do ‘pandal hopping’ throughout the nights and enjoy themselves. Restaurants and food stalls stay open and cater to visitors throughout the nights. The young, old, men, women and children together celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm. Wearing new clothes is a must to grace the occasion. Perfect time for the youngsters to hang out with friends. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>The food stalls do some real solid business during the puja days. Varieties of eateries all over the place. But the Jalebis, chicken cutlets, egg rolls and mutton chops are simply out of the world. Instant happiness with the very first bite. Food stalls remain open till late in the nights. People are found to be standing in the queue in almost every stall."</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Life has changed so much over the years. But every time I come to this place I feel as if time has simply stopped, and I go back to my school days...” said Shantanu. He was settled in Bangalore with his family, working for a software company. He met his childhood friends after a long time... almost fifteen years. Well, it was Shantanu who planned and coordinated with all to make this get-together a success.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Shantanu, Shuvham, Indrajit and Jiten grew up together in the same colony, popularly known as ‘Natun Para’. The place is still known by the same name. Shuvham was settled in US and Jiten in Germany. Indrajit has established himself as a renowned businessman in the locality. He was the guy who was in touch with most of their schoolmates, particularly the ones from Natun Para. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was afternoon and all the friends were having a great time on the terrace. Shuvham lit up a cigarette and was smoking it while slurping his tea. He took a few long drags and passed it on to Shantanu. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Devika should've come by now", commented Shuvham. This grabbed everyone’s attention. Well, Devika Dutta was also their schoolmate, same batch. But somehow the guys lost touch with her. She was settled in US along with her husband and two kids. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Why are you looking so serious?" asked Indrajit to Shantanu. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Of course he would be serious. After all, he’s Devika’s first boyfriend..." Jiten commented. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A smile appeared on Shantanu’s face, "What dudes, what topic have you brought in?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Actually, Shantanu had proposed Devika when they were in their ninth grade in school. Devika had accepted, and they had dated for almost a year. Later they had some kind of fight, followed by their breakup. Shantanu had been quite serious about her. It had taken him quite some time to console himself, and then he had come back to life again. In their twelfth grade, Devika was dating Jiten. Shuvham and Devika studied in the same Engineering College in Pune. During that time, Shuvham had regularly updated his old buddies about Devika. Whenever Shuvham had visited Natun Para, his friends would discuss about Devika with him.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"What Shantanu dada, are you still serious about 'Aam Sotto'?" Commented someone. The terrace jolted with their laughter. From the very first semester, Devika was popularly known as 'Aam Sotto' in her college. There was an interesting story how such a tag name got attached to her. Just after a few weeks of their fresher’s party, Devika went to college wearing a beautiful, brand new skin tight T-shirt. On the front it was printed, 'Tasty Mangoes'. From that day, she was popularly known her as 'Aam Sotto' in the campus.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Shuvham started talking about her… just the way he used to do earlier, to refresh their memories, may be. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"She was one of the most attractive lady in the college, quite popular among the boys. She made a boyfriend towards the end of our first semester. The guy was in his eighth semester. After passing out of college, he showed up a few times. Later in her sixth semester, she made a new boyfriend. After we passed out, I lost touch with Devika."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"So, did she marry the same boyfriend from college?" asked Indrajit, curiosity was increasing.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"No yaar, she married someone else. Once I got to know that she’s also in US, I sent her a Facebook friend request to her. To my surprise she accepted it immediately." Proudness appeared on Shuvham’s face. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Have you met her in US?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"No bondhu. She lives thousands of kilometers away."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Shantanu dude, you still look serious. Hoechhe ta ki?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Looks like, he's missing his good old days with Aam Sotto. After all, he was her first boyfriend,' Jiten uttered, just to pull Shantanu's legs.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Shantanu was pretending not to listen. There was a silence for a while. And then Shantanu reacted, "We were just friends, guys."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The conversation continued for more than a couple of hours. The friends almost completed a pack of cigarettes and three cups of tea per head on the terrace. Apart from Devika, they also discussed on several other topics... about their families, kids, work, politics, sports, and what not! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Shantanu Da, Bhog is ready..." a small boy shouted below. The guys were having ‘Sutta’ session at Shantanu’s house. It was Navami. Everyone was simply waiting for the Puja Khichuri. They missed it for so long! The menu itself was mouth-watering for them. Khichuri prepared with ghee, crispy Begun bhaja, Sweet and savoury typical Bengali tomato chutney. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Bhog was being served in Natun para. It was crowded. The aroma of bhog Khichuri was mesmerizing. And then all of a sudden the guys encountered Devika.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Aree! Shantanu, Shuvham, Indrajit, Jiten. How are you guys? I'm seeing you after so long!"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Everyone was happy. They talked about themselves, about other friends, batch mates, even about Natun Para. Devika introduced her husband, Bapi and her kids to her childhood friends. Both her kids looked quite playful. The elder one was eleven years old and the younger one was six. Devika had maintained herself well. She still had the body of a dancer, lithe and beautiful.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Everyone ate together. After such sumptuous lunch the guys wanted to have a fag. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Cigarette ta chole to Bapi dada?" asked Shantanu.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Are ki bolchen!. Nischoy! Chalun. Kothai jachchen?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Aei to pichon dike"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Devika eyed her husband, "You all guys are just the same!" The guys went at the backyard. Bapi seemed to be quite friendly. They smoked together, spent some good time.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Are Rustam, where are you going? Eat you bhog first." Indrajit said to Rustam as he was passing by. Rustam was the idol maker. He’s an artist. He’s designing and creating new versions of Maa Durga since last 3 decades. He’s quite well known in the locality for his talent. Every year, the pandal organizers think of new themes while constructing pandals to win prizes. Pandal artists work day and night to make unbelievable gigantic idols of Maa Durga in various shapes and situations. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Next day was Dashami. Once again it was the time for this wonderful festival to conclude. But yes, with a new hope for the next year.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><b>The article was first printed in souvenir 2018, Srishti Cultural Association, DLF Westend Heights, Bangalore.</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";">Grab a copy of my debut book </i><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thestoryoftublu/" target="_blank">Story of Tublu</a></b></span></i><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"> from Amazon or Flipkart. It is a Contemporary Fiction novel, published by LiFi Publications Pvt Ltd. The book has its share of drama, that entertains; humor, that makes one reminisce; love, friendship and emotions that defines the amazing journey that is, life.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.in/dp/9382536752/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="28" data-original-width="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKY-KeShSgH1PLrpOIPx1iOhRAOsS-s45sb56BLwY1zcpMYphweB9EiEahqbM8yokp051rZRuXqv75yq1LnKOQl85PxdTuBuD358qdI46I6YuOJzCd1aBSZGb2ULJhZLY8ayndVN9bCec/s1600/buy_from_amazon.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flipkart.com/story-of-tublu/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5?pid=9789382536758&affid=flashback" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="25" data-original-width="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySp-CZg1Dr0h5cE5EpDVVVX4EfdgVrjvzXgdMu2-ykICFOaOvZ1Z9fwoEHxNI1A_oTV3zNm08vVozqORZxUW10urv2iw6U7wJpPBXTRv1NpQvbDrE7l_yaYZk-UDvNHpWUlGeXwWSYow/s1600/buy_btn_flipkart.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
jahidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097607781740943913noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856434568744212755.post-59176783639615818062017-10-29T07:51:00.000-07:002017-11-01T20:05:24.068-07:00Delhi - The Cleanest City<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-V6cOPMsOoQHbGMW34aK2fairUb1sPEFlixa2WnaHDPyxr6oDQq7jz2MSl-7ap1YJnIRsY5JCMCAYT8x-GCo0KIZrldY3TiyIvp0E4wDHLBTrLaeBIL-NQsGxEUvcXATcHzS-ey0Ruk/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="604" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-V6cOPMsOoQHbGMW34aK2fairUb1sPEFlixa2WnaHDPyxr6oDQq7jz2MSl-7ap1YJnIRsY5JCMCAYT8x-GCo0KIZrldY3TiyIvp0E4wDHLBTrLaeBIL-NQsGxEUvcXATcHzS-ey0Ruk/s400/18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last week I was in Delhi. I met my friend Ramesh there after many years. We both did our Engineering from the same college. Ramesh is settled in Delhi ever since we passed out of college. Well, I visited the city after almost 15 years. It’s a wonderful feeling every time we are in the world’s cleanest city. There was a time when Delhi was considered to be one of the most polluted city. This happened due to its rapid unplanned growth and industrialisation. The number of petrol and diesel cars increased exponentially over the years. Gradually, the condition became very severe, it was turning quite uninhabitable. There are several reasons for the environmental degradation of Delhi. Lack of adequate policies to control pollution, lack of political will, unplanned industrial growth, use of outdated technology, inefficient waste disposal, and many others. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELJhgSnCyS1xpyMl6blC4l_FpT0RpXjiujjUh7yOTKA_5J4jmlKEoRni2jCunkGMAMaRN5JoHA1B4ucRPUWVZeWLbK1-gs7SjnjpQrVtmLJWSOmNOheYTvG2HLBM-ofyHGJ7O1oXZDKs/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELJhgSnCyS1xpyMl6blC4l_FpT0RpXjiujjUh7yOTKA_5J4jmlKEoRni2jCunkGMAMaRN5JoHA1B4ucRPUWVZeWLbK1-gs7SjnjpQrVtmLJWSOmNOheYTvG2HLBM-ofyHGJ7O1oXZDKs/s640/17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
People in Delhi started to wear pollution masks most of the time, many used to wear while sleeping as well. After repeated warnings by WHO, and various other Environment communities across the world, the Government intervened. They took some strict actions. It started to shut down some factories which didn’t follow the expected environment regulation. But then due to lack of support from local people it was very difficult for the government to deal with the situation. Things usually turned worst during the festival of Diwali. It is a very auspicious occasion in India, and it has always been the festival of light. But in the early 20th century with the emergence of the powerful cracker industry, bursting crackers became popular. Gradually over the years it penetrated deep into the system. It became so emotional that people couldn’t think of celebrating Diwali without bursting crackers. There are numerous factories which produces crackers and they don’t follow and norms or regulation. Several harmful chemicals are released during the burning of crackers. The oxides and dioxides of sulphur and nitrogen are released. These chemicals get exposed to their skin, eyes, lungs and increase toxic levels in the body. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There was a time when pollution level in Delhi was 50 times more than the WHO guideline level for safe air. Post Diwali morning it used to become 50 times more. Delhites were living on a time bomb, completely ignorant. Industries were still growing rapidly, people still burst crackers even though it was banned. But 5 years ago something happened that shocked the entire world. It was a usual post Diwali morning in Delhi. Everyone wore safely musk. And then some tragedy happened that completely changed the dimension of the city. More than 100 thousand people died on the same day due to suffocation and other breathing problems. All the new born babies who appeared on this world on that particular day, couldn’t survive. Several senior citizens died. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After that tragic incident which is considered to be black day for our Environment, people in Delhi realized the impact of the alarming situation. Government took extreme and strict measures. They shut down all the industries which were not following the pollution guidelines. Schools and offices remained closed for almost a month. People started planting trees all over the cities. Entire Delhi took up the responsibility to clean up the mess of the past. Ecology has become one of their main philosophy. Gradually over the years Eco efficiency has become the most important thing for the city. It wouldn't have been possible without the support from the local people. It all began with the grassroots level of involvement, planting trees, watering them. Delhi residents are encouraged to cleanup, go green, and create a climate that features better air quality, eco efficiency, bio diversity and an abundant quantity of clean natural resources.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A huge investment was done to replace the traditional and outdated transport system. Government banned all petrol and diesel cars. Delhi is the first city in the entire world to become completely fossil free, not only in transportation, but also on power generation. All the vehicles, including the Metro run on electricity these days. Delhi was an opportunity for all the ecofriendly scientists to experiment their research. It came up as a blessing. Delhi became the first city to use wireless electricity, that too completely free. Yes, finally <a href="https://www.gaia.com/lp/content/did-nikola-tesla-leave-us-the-key-to-free-energy/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><i>Nikola Tesla's</i></span></a> dream to provide free energy to the world has come into reality after almost 100 years. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRwW97VZts_PGq1Zl-A41TrgjBFa3OYe0SgVoVjwFpr2_POmct-x2y63P_2NpTMR3LQ_DgSJM636aKr2mucTohyphenhyphenu52fkXu8ecJ0zOs4waYhmVCsSvgf37nLoiCxax31FwLTZgdllrvVQ/s1600/19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRwW97VZts_PGq1Zl-A41TrgjBFa3OYe0SgVoVjwFpr2_POmct-x2y63P_2NpTMR3LQ_DgSJM636aKr2mucTohyphenhyphenu52fkXu8ecJ0zOs4waYhmVCsSvgf37nLoiCxax31FwLTZgdllrvVQ/s640/19.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The entire NCR is connected via Hyperloop, a high-speed ground travel system which is the world’s fastest mode of transport in today's world, almost 1000 km per hour. Meant to be intercity transport to connect multiple cities using Hyperloop, but Delhi is the first city to implement it with such large scale within the city. Now, people in Delhi can reach from any place to any other part of the city within just 5 minutes. Hyperloop capsules are completely solar powered.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_ae4wZI-Imy_EPi6idbuiGjHbco508WoGKY0_EQyUA7TXSrXNtxMXg5w7QTT79kzA447yGTRymYtAv8YTf26OzVOk44rd_L6jdc1wVbc9Fa2lKYk-YYwcoTAa6b40BYhVssgi2FIwos/s1600/18.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1280" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_ae4wZI-Imy_EPi6idbuiGjHbco508WoGKY0_EQyUA7TXSrXNtxMXg5w7QTT79kzA447yGTRymYtAv8YTf26OzVOk44rd_L6jdc1wVbc9Fa2lKYk-YYwcoTAa6b40BYhVssgi2FIwos/s640/18.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
To know more about Hyperloop do watch this video.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ut3RRrhlGI0/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ut3RRrhlGI0?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The streets of Delhi looks fantastic these days due to local contribution to make the locality clean and sustainable. Delhi is considered to be the cleanest city of the world. Last year it won the Green Capital award. It is the first city in the entire world to become completely fossil free. Several automatic cooling systems are deployed across the city which runs on solar and other renewable energy to reduce the city temperature during summer. Since electric transmission has gone completely wireless, all the electric poles and wiring are removed. Big trees were planted both sides of the road. More than 50% of the cars and trucks have gone driver-less. Number of road accidents has decreased significantly. Many parts of Delhi look like mini forest with plantation all over. Delhites have an impression of living in an exotic village with all modern facilities and infrastructure. The city is spreading rapidly at a phenomenon rate. But the growth is now very well controlled and planned. Many MNCs have come up in the city in the last few years. Foreign investors are investing heavily in the Eco friendly city. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was Diwali night. Coincidentally it was also the 5th memorial of the tragic incident. The particular day has been internationally recognised as Human Environment Day. Everyone was together, celebrating Diwali with family and friends. We could see Eco friendly <i>Diya </i>Balloons lighted up the sky. These are fully biodegradable and safe and simple to use. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhp8k8qh-Gi9YTbgxdVTTdq0yWWy8dgbraDfz6HlO5Vr_Bi3hwCVi2zoNpqcAptrV-FDTCZeBZMUlKjLqcotMFRbcItIhH1iXXbUnkcK1-Fe7M4wys_EJbKWd5JoHauCvIxUX47LNBIfY/s1600/20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhp8k8qh-Gi9YTbgxdVTTdq0yWWy8dgbraDfz6HlO5Vr_Bi3hwCVi2zoNpqcAptrV-FDTCZeBZMUlKjLqcotMFRbcItIhH1iXXbUnkcK1-Fe7M4wys_EJbKWd5JoHauCvIxUX47LNBIfY/s640/20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
People were also enjoying fire in the sky laser displays with bursting sound in a controlled manner, thanks to the various sound simulation techniques evolved over the years.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrVuoLWeWRHG3v-2xbLvvJ2gROPncILsBf5N3NcUyzreMKWG8WSDD6mspNo-zgTsjQEHWT0xcZdVrJv4hwi2fSI1JeYR7kSsZ-k2m4C20xWVwYX_SIJqDNs7LvVUxv9i-qaWouLsu0XE/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrVuoLWeWRHG3v-2xbLvvJ2gROPncILsBf5N3NcUyzreMKWG8WSDD6mspNo-zgTsjQEHWT0xcZdVrJv4hwi2fSI1JeYR7kSsZ-k2m4C20xWVwYX_SIJqDNs7LvVUxv9i-qaWouLsu0XE/s400/16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Many companies are coming up with innovative ideas of celebrating smokeless, noiseless and Eco friendly Diwali. It’s a huge market, and every year we get to see some new creativity. It was such a pleasure to be in such a great city, particularly during Diwali.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
PC: Google Images</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This post is a work of fiction written for Indiblogger’s <i><b>#CelebratingSuper</b></i> campaign in association with <a href="https://www.vodafone.in/home-delhi" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: blue;"><b>Vodafone</b></span></i></a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
jahidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097607781740943913noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856434568744212755.post-55326813665677101652017-10-14T03:20:00.000-07:002017-10-14T12:41:56.393-07:00Homeland<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQ8Or3DqTkfJJ76G_aqnUMkrkrRXkHIiNdSYKFb2-qYBXgNZ2MtSkBoOnlYMvqLo-JykAyydeUcN4FC-ZgI-tb2XVE2kFu_enIrkOD9i_B2H4qWogO5phpFk7ZrAuazvPGPoBQvQOUvc/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQ8Or3DqTkfJJ76G_aqnUMkrkrRXkHIiNdSYKFb2-qYBXgNZ2MtSkBoOnlYMvqLo-JykAyydeUcN4FC-ZgI-tb2XVE2kFu_enIrkOD9i_B2H4qWogO5phpFk7ZrAuazvPGPoBQvQOUvc/s320/15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Raju was born and grew up in a small village in India. He was good at studies from the beginning. Just like others Raju also loved his village a lot. It was his world, his homeland. The neighbouring villages often fight with each other on small issues. Everyone took pride and was ready to die for their motherland. Sometimes there were minor conflicts within the village as well, but those could easily be neglected. But when there was any fight with any other village the entire people would become united. Everyone forget their internal ego, the unnecessary small issues and fight together for their homeland. Raju grew up in such environment. In fact, he witnessed many such fights.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Raju studied at the only school in the village till 8th grade. Actually those days there was no option for the students after 8th grade. Based on the school teacher’s recommendation Raju’s father admitted him at a school in the nearby town. It was for the first time Raju had been to any town, even though it was just 70 km from their village. He studied hard and soon everyone at school started recognizing his talents. Gradually, Raju noticed some major changes. Life was quite different in the village. In the town life seemed to be busy. There were many schools and colleges. Everyone took pride for their institutes. In case of any conflict entire school/college would become united. Raju noticed that religious differences was more in the town. And whenever the prestige of the town was at stake, everyone would get emotional. People were ready to die for their homeland. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Days passed by. Raju did very well in his higher secondary exams. He took admission at an engineering college in the city. Life was different there. People were more broadminded. Raju noticed that people usually don’t interfere with other’s life, everyone was busy with their own. Most of the issues were created by politicians. Issues based on religion, language, or race were more prominent. Time had really just flown by. Raju graduated. He then lived in many different cities of India, switched jobs. In all the cities life was more or less the same. Even though languages differ, but people are the same, emotional, sentimental. Politicians play the actual game. People take pride on their respective states. They wish and often demand to get preference in their respective regions. When critical situation would arise, people get very sentimental and ready to die of their region, their homeland. Also, all are patriotic towards their country.<br />
<br />
Few years later Raju went to the US to pursue master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Raju had lived a good life in the US. He studied hard. He always wanted to travel to the space. Life was different in the US. Clean and broad roads, excellent transportation systems, people seemed to be more educated and liberal. But then human beings are same everywhere, their basic nature remains the same. There also the politicians play the real game. People want to be superior to others. Everybody love to get preference. There also people are very patriotic for their motherland. Raju met many people who actually belong from rival countries, but he noticed them staying together, eat together, and they would laugh together. Sometimes Raju was confused, but then he would simply smile. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After the master’s, Raju completed his PHD. He worked with NASA as a senior scientist. After several months of training finally it was time for him to fulfil his dream, to travel to the space. He travelled with two other astronauts. The space shuttle took them and cargo into the low Earth orbit. The mission was to do some maintenance activity at the space station. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Raju was floating in space. He looked at the Earth below. It looked stunningly beautiful as sunlight reflected off of the oceans. Raju was mesmerised. He kept looking at the Earth, and was lost in nostalgia. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHYFcWuHBXLsnYJffDk1HmJgvflAWvuj5Xjt-DWHQlVHQd91wVUOMoExns2aH2PiipuKJgOj1HeLU6YcZLAxexhLTa1Yc_ShyphenhyphenWLrmnwvIZlhxm1a0LU6wA7BYb5ihiLtz8NkXNmIE_9k/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHYFcWuHBXLsnYJffDk1HmJgvflAWvuj5Xjt-DWHQlVHQd91wVUOMoExns2aH2PiipuKJgOj1HeLU6YcZLAxexhLTa1Yc_ShyphenhyphenWLrmnwvIZlhxm1a0LU6wA7BYb5ihiLtz8NkXNmIE_9k/s640/14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He remembered his small village where he grew up. He recalled how people used to fight on small issues, smiling. He remembered the town where he did the later part of his schooling. He recalled all the cities and countries he lived. He wondered how people are so emotional about their respective homelands. He wondered how over the years the countries were formed, how the politicians play their tricks, how people fight in the name of religion or language or face. Everything felt so meaningless to him. Raju kept looking at the Earth, his home. Now, he understood the true meaning of homeland.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";">Grab a copy of my debut book </i><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thestoryoftublu/" target="_blank">Story of Tublu</a></b></span></i><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"> from Amazon or Flipkart. It is a Contemporary Fiction novel, published by LiFi Publications Pvt Ltd. The book has its share of drama, that entertains; humor, that makes one reminisce; love, friendship and emotions that defines the amazing journey that is, life.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.in/Story-Tublu-Amazing-Journey-Called/dp/9382536752?_encoding=UTF8&%2AVersion%2A=1&%2Aentries%2A=0&U2=262-3139008-6629260&portal-device-attributes=desktop&ref_=tsm_1_fb_lk" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="28" data-original-width="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg449d1b-JjgUu6uCZ5IK-iLanakSZ-7tj8SiiCCq0_YP_kWqniuu9njqutCZn4TyyOweI1CV123n7aI-T4cLNmVnN3GIdQjP-j_zJSLTsttVElaKZWe4azJ3SrQ4hnjfL1iiPwS6jaJ_Y/s1600/buy_from_amazon.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flipkart.com/story-tublu-amazing-journey-called-life/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5?pid=9789382536758&affid=flashback" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="25" data-original-width="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBFFHPBPoapHT2SxTfNllzDWqz_Xf8hdcE-ZheCgA-v0PkQMRKCau4u4amQykWjAHydgFnD4vnO6rWbXxcFK5qLaDIEJEhoL87F5V8YU7mj7B300p21IqdcJlWwOrjyvg4FQW5zfGCVg/s1600/buy_btn_flipkart.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
jahidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097607781740943913noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856434568744212755.post-57089670390780480012017-09-25T08:36:00.003-07:002017-09-28T01:40:28.732-07:00One Memorable Train Journey from Pune to Bangalore<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2sBh2PId67m9ly8t-qBNiKmEjH0lju3TCdgSkR7VSGhnd7mI6cXojVp54jF6bw8b43amJtyt2AGxvC4mJHFzf-XybrUjtLDTYtr7KQy7_emuLVpnpvrEVpisFTGYqcErCnPmhKk_fVKo/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="976" data-original-width="1500" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2sBh2PId67m9ly8t-qBNiKmEjH0lju3TCdgSkR7VSGhnd7mI6cXojVp54jF6bw8b43amJtyt2AGxvC4mJHFzf-XybrUjtLDTYtr7KQy7_emuLVpnpvrEVpisFTGYqcErCnPmhKk_fVKo/s400/13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
About a year after we got married, Anjali moved to Pune. She opted for a PG Diploma course in Emergency Medicine from Symbiosis University. Few of my good college buddies, Dhiru, Diganta and Saikat were in Pune those days. I and Anjali went to Pune, looked for a PG nearby the institute. Well, there were many options in that locality. Anjali liked one of them and paid the booking amount. The duration of the course was one year, and during that period I visited Pune about four to five times. On every occasion I stayed with Dhiru and Diganta, they both shared the same house those days. It was party time whenever I visited Pune. Reunion of old friends, Anjali also joined us in the evening after her classes were over. For the first time we traveled by bus, Volvo. It was pretty comfortable, Rs 1000/- per ticket, took 15 hours to reach Pune. They dropped us somewhere on Pune-Mumbai highway in the middle of the night. From there it was another 25-30 km to my friend’s place. We took an auto. On one occasion I took a train from Bangalore to Pune. Those were the days when Air Deccan entered the market and changed the dimension of aviation industry. It immediately became the pioneer of low-cost flights in India. Even average middle class people started to fly. One day I thought to give it a try and looked in the internet. Bangalore to Pune, Rs 1000/-, exactly same that of bus fare, but it would reach Pune in just one hour and 20 minutes. Also, my friends stayed very near to Pune airport. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anjali’s PG course was over. It was time for her to come back to Bangalore. Once again I traveled to Pune by Air Deccan. But the return journey I booked train tickets. Anjali had hell lot of luggage. It was actually much beyond my expectation, almost 100 kg I guess. We boarded our train in the morning. It was stationed on the platform. It came all the way from Mumbai, on its way to take us to Bangalore. We had to take a coolie. I also carried as much I could. The railway platform was crowded. We found our compartment. We somehow placed the luggage. There were many people sitting at our compartment, more than the number of berths. I was already tired, out of frustration I asked, “<i>Itne saare log kaise baith gaye yahan pe</i>?” (How come so many people occupied the seats here?)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
All the men were in their middle age, one of them was quite tough looking. Couple of them replied in chorus, “We will get down at the next station.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Suddenly a lean man grabbed my attention. He was at the window seat opposite to us. He was handcuffed, one hand locked to the window. Both I and Anjali felt weird. I thought the guy must have done something wrong in the train and the Railway police handcuffed him. Soon our conversation started with the co-passengers. They were all policemen. The handcuffed guy was actually a thief, laptop thief. He was from a village in Karnataka. The cops were taking him to Karnataka police to progress with the case, to catch hold of the entire gang. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Are you guys from Railway police?" I asked.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"No. No. We are Mumbai police," they replied in chorus. Proudness on their face.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In few minutes the train slowed down, and then stopped. Three of the fellow policemen got down at the very first station from Pune to Bangalore. They said goodbye to us. All the cops were good friends. They shook hands, wished good luck. They were speaking in Marathi, but we were able to make out everything. Suddenly the train started with a jerk. So from here the real journey starts. I, Anjali, a handcuffed thief, and three policemen.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
All the three policemen were very decent. One of them looked quite rough and tough, another a little short with big belly, and the last one looked normal. They seemed to be very friendly. Soon they opened a polythene bag. There were Vada pav inside, nicely packed. Well, Vada pav is a simple vegetarian fast food dish native to the state of Maharashtra in India. It's local Indian burger stuffed with deep fried potato along with coriander, onion, spices and chutney. It is immensely popular fast food dish all throughout Maharashtra. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2IZCWCY01YOH_HoFe8X_J4EApHASzL4nAVNVZv-8TcVPLFKoh6gwRnw8znKtl5mbtqkQP-oUn5We4J0ZXS9lQ5pnPqHTuEhPos0mqUj7hLFwpUigOI2RtYLSMmzbXuIbnzD0_py2h04/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="538" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2IZCWCY01YOH_HoFe8X_J4EApHASzL4nAVNVZv-8TcVPLFKoh6gwRnw8znKtl5mbtqkQP-oUn5We4J0ZXS9lQ5pnPqHTuEhPos0mqUj7hLFwpUigOI2RtYLSMmzbXuIbnzD0_py2h04/s400/12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
They offered us their food. Out of courtesy we were a bit reluctant to accept. But it wasn’t too hard for them to convince us. They also offered a Vada pav to the thief, in fact it was an order. The offender denied. The rough and tough policeman asked him one more time. Again the thief denied. The policeman slapped him hard 2-3 times. They bad guy immediately got hold of the Vada pav and put inside his mouth. Anjali was very shocked.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Why are you beating him? He might not be hungry," Anjali looked sad.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Sorry, I shouldn’t have beaten him in front of you. But you have no idea about such people. They are criminals. They have no heart, no emotion. The only think they understand is the stick. We caught him red handed with three stolen laptops in Mumbai. We immediately arrested him. For the first two days he spoke only in Kannada. We were so frustrated. We then applied little dose, and pretty soon few Hindi words uttered from his mouth. We increased the dose, and few more Hindi words came out. In the next few hours as the dose kept increasing he became more and more fluent in Hindi. There is no other way to deal with such people," the policeman explained in details.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Time spent well. Interesting conversation. I asked how they catch the criminals, how they get the leads? They shared few of their stories. In between, our discussion turned to a different direction. Anjali asked their names. One of the policeman, the fat one was very proud of his surname. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I’m Rajput. You guys know Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, right? He’s also a Rajput," The man’s proudness showed up.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Then Anjali popped in. She was also very happy. "Yes, we are also Rajput," She said. They asked her name, and the Rajput thing continued for a while. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"So, are you also a Rajput?" One of them asked me. I was a bit confused. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Yeah. Like that only, not very sure," I murmured. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"What is your name?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Jahid. Jahid Akhtar," I replied.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There was a silence for a while. And then things turned back to normal. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Time passed by. Darkness fell. Stars shinning in the sky. Evening is the best time when we travel in sleeper class. Pleasant breeze. Open sky. The typical train sound effect, so soothing.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"So what are you guys planning to do? How are you going to catch all the gang members?" I asked. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Tomorrow morning we need to go to Madivala Police station in Bangalore. We need to submit an application to request extension of his remand for seven more days to gather more information from him," one of the policeman answered.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"But aren’t the Bangalore police going to help you guys? You are only three policemen, and you don’t even know the locality well," I expressed my concern.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The cops looked at each other, smiled. "These interstate investigation cases are kind of complex. They help eventually, but it takes time. There are lot of formalities. For high priority cases the procedure is fast. But for normal cases it’s not that easy. Few years ago our team leader, the policeman pointed his finger towards the fat guy, tried to pull his legs. So, two-three years ago our team leader visited Bangalore for an investigation. He was at the police station for the entire day, and only the next morning his application was accepted. The major problem is that Bangalore police speak only in Kannada or English. Actually, our English is a bit poor," The policeman shared their worry.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Later the cops asked if we could help them in writing the application for them. Anjali was eager to help. They gave the content and she drafted it. They were so happy, felt pretty relaxed. After dinner, the lights were turned off. Everyone went to sleep. The windows were open. I kept looking at the dark sky.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the morning we reached Bangalore. The policemen thanked us. They gave us their numbers. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"If you guys come to Mumbai or Pune, and if you are in any kind of trouble, just call us," the policemen expressed their friendship. We were so happy, smiled, "Sure, that’s so nice of you."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";">Grab a copy of my debut book </i><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thestoryoftublu/" target="_blank">Story of Tublu</a></b></span></i><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"> from Amazon or Flipkart. It is a Contemporary Fiction novel, published by LiFi Publications Pvt Ltd. The book has its share of drama, that entertains; humor, that makes one reminisce; love, friendship and emotions that defines the amazing journey that is, life.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.in/Story-Tublu-Amazing-Journey-Called/dp/9382536752?_encoding=UTF8&%2AVersion%2A=1&%2Aentries%2A=0&portal-device-attributes=desktop&ref_=tsm_1_fb_lk" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="28" data-original-width="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJsBgd8HAZZY9i7RjU034nZf7ZF1gaAz6XfQFhc9FgQL86k8ZUNLTdQjxWSSE-OiheqgbVLSgsZkKW1ML7T9s-Zaa5k5EgohyphenhyphenofTFI_60VLkYYZzZoMVYi0Kzk_vUAZJ5UwiUZtvj7BI/s1600/buy_from_amazon.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flipkart.com/story-tublu-amazing-journey-called-life/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5?pid=9789382536758&affid=flashback" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="25" data-original-width="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXumHTifLRkz0I7t7kx5vf3l6yrp5rtJHTrOVLfR5U84fAs5HpgbAUF_JPiG40decBCF-S8S-289_Maj5V75aJywmrxB6VQui0axapB-UEVkikmdc8yfofAVZQ7f_p2x9sruXHtu_tO4/s1600/buy_btn_flipkart.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
jahidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097607781740943913noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856434568744212755.post-8429866309208168832017-09-19T10:06:00.001-07:002017-09-19T10:06:17.443-07:00Ecoworld Bangalore Lake<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGx0VGhyphenhyphen9-FNsbLm0_ywSe2kctbXptD84RhntMfwTM44engcehT4QVpYF5U79Jnz_wLTyYD42V2d2crbrwMAINcXePIdE5cFSOpqTAhVdmtMolXeqnU3I05LcrWbFvx5kaDJL0uTHWPHY/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGx0VGhyphenhyphen9-FNsbLm0_ywSe2kctbXptD84RhntMfwTM44engcehT4QVpYF5U79Jnz_wLTyYD42V2d2crbrwMAINcXePIdE5cFSOpqTAhVdmtMolXeqnU3I05LcrWbFvx5kaDJL0uTHWPHY/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
At the backyard of our office, Ecoworld, Bangalore.</div>
jahidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097607781740943913noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856434568744212755.post-88701270576400325692017-08-13T12:14:00.000-07:002017-08-22T10:15:03.019-07:00Ambur Mutton Biriyani<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGblhnYKmgiUOfm8qDcft5f3teahy77QOrhM8x1tbv3zOfiu39nGF6Fs6K2RlZ2s4uZJx-vy40C8lNf9W0w7J7SMMP4i8NF4eaSQtku2GM2ktIq4sPDmHrVPe82AtISM48-3EfX07xoDo/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGblhnYKmgiUOfm8qDcft5f3teahy77QOrhM8x1tbv3zOfiu39nGF6Fs6K2RlZ2s4uZJx-vy40C8lNf9W0w7J7SMMP4i8NF4eaSQtku2GM2ktIq4sPDmHrVPe82AtISM48-3EfX07xoDo/s400/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br />
This post has been featured in BlogAdda's "Tangy Tuesday Picks" this week.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://blog.blogadda.com/2017/08/22/best-food-blogs-to-read-this-week-at-blogadda" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="54" data-original-width="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7y6E54SYThshq0VuaFlITqqv_KZ64D9CDeW7ZvdbiqJzaoabfRA8fduR5GEOred-Pyz35-akmvWri-_PG4qOyFp60E8SvVedNvYSRk-R3RG_84dOTWCwaMGuyHr9OaO-moXWUtdk1rck/s1600/ttp_email.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
When it comes to Biryani the first thing that comes to our mind is "Hyderabadi Biryani". In case you don’t know what biryani is all about? Well, it is a South Asian mixed rice dish with its origins among the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent. It is a very popular recipe in the subcontinent. Everyone just love biriyani irrespective of gender, color, race, religion, region, language. Biriyani has somehow united the entire subcontinent in its own way. No doubt that Hyderabadi biryani is one of the most popular dishes, not only in south India but across the country. The dish is basically from Mughlai cuisine, and is quite a challenge to prepare, as it has some unique ways of spicing it up. Apart from Hyderabadi biriyani there are also different other varieties of biriyani which are equally tasty. One of my favorite is "Ambur Mutton Biryani".</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
Ambur is a town in the Vellore District of Tamil Nadu, India. It is located on the banks of the Palar River on the Chennai-Bangalore National Highway. The place is quite well-known for its biriyani. I have been preparing Ambur Mutton Biriyani for quite some time now. It was Mr Viswanaathan Ramaseshan who introduced this recipe to me. Soon, I became a fan of it. I just thought to share this amazing dish to everyone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GSUq8ysPkjy7LgYOEgqoeRJQvFuwfOWEUfk8HsLFF3byz42BV8c4blc_fOiLOTJrHiLqIlhoR9U-xRYUh9JCWkEvzYpVmdyyLgbobPWINsvUtz_w0YmE_5TzG_a-AEz6_vU8U0BTA6k/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GSUq8ysPkjy7LgYOEgqoeRJQvFuwfOWEUfk8HsLFF3byz42BV8c4blc_fOiLOTJrHiLqIlhoR9U-xRYUh9JCWkEvzYpVmdyyLgbobPWINsvUtz_w0YmE_5TzG_a-AEz6_vU8U0BTA6k/s640/7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
Ingredients required (Preparation for 4 people) {</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ol>
<li style="text-align: justify;">500 grams Mutton</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">500 grams Seeraga Samba Rice (One can use some other rice as well. But Ambur briyani comes out really well with Seeraga Samba Rice. Samba is a variety of rice grown in Tamil Nadu, also some other parts of India and Sri Lanka, and has a small ovular grain, compared to the long grain of basmati rice.)</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">2-3 tablespoon of refined oil.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">50-100 grams of Ginger-Garlic paste (Freshly prepared, highly recommended)</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">2 sliced onions</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">2 Tomatoes, chopped (I prepared it with and without tomatoes. Without tomatoes also it is equally tasty)</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">10 – 13 Dried Red chilies ground to paste <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynG7ggVDmQ2QJjlrTFaxG7rpAIEz3n_PvAtIMPtQ3nRQ5pqQTuo0kSHFHWT8Cmx2Wxizl2hI3s71CHQSiMHVgnYdktHpeTQp1B2YqzNK_8hKYMeJsaSH-kFBVvlJBtHSdNuX-__onqd0/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynG7ggVDmQ2QJjlrTFaxG7rpAIEz3n_PvAtIMPtQ3nRQ5pqQTuo0kSHFHWT8Cmx2Wxizl2hI3s71CHQSiMHVgnYdktHpeTQp1B2YqzNK_8hKYMeJsaSH-kFBVvlJBtHSdNuX-__onqd0/s400/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Few pieces of cloves, cardamom and cinnamon sticks</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Coriander leaves</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Mint leaves</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">2-3 tablespoon of card</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Juice out of one lemon</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Salt (According to taste, preferably 1 to 2 tablespoon)</li>
</ol>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
Instructions:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ol>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Soak the rice in lots of water. Set aside.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Heat oil in a pan</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Add spoon of curd. Add in the Cinnamon, cloves and cardamom. Fry for 10 seconds. Add in the garlic paste. Fry for 2-3 minutes on medium flame.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Now, add in the ginger paste. Fry for 2-3 minutes until the raw smell of the ginger goes off.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Add in the chili paste, mutton, the mint and coriander leaves, chopped onions, tomatoes, salt, curd and lime juice. Add in a cup (250 ml) of water. Mix well to combine.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Cover and pressure cook everything for 5-6 whistles on medium flame. Switch off the flame and wait for the pressure to release naturally. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuOrwr0NXpnd930ddQmI7knwXYe5x_lHq7g5U00rCwVXHd7ejAn6Nn_6pmZ4fbvFuCDMuv3diBTtH36mwPT6dWlk5ne4pbJsypL941SBLplCytQ3PP6C8dJeAIMlY2EMAzaIz8Cn5-B4/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuOrwr0NXpnd930ddQmI7knwXYe5x_lHq7g5U00rCwVXHd7ejAn6Nn_6pmZ4fbvFuCDMuv3diBTtH36mwPT6dWlk5ne4pbJsypL941SBLplCytQ3PP6C8dJeAIMlY2EMAzaIz8Cn5-B4/s400/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Add in the soaked rice to the mutton gravy. Add in extra water, salt if necessary. Cook of another 3-4 whistles on medium flame. Switch off the flame and wait for the pressure to release naturally.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Open the lid and gently fluff up the rice to mix. Serve the mutton biryani hot. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSQjNWuP-Q13KH-wh7fdXh5KAxFPjaCRUUoy-wBR7t4dDNYfktCOWqrWNquwH-XQwQFJvibD2tYR542d8iRkg70nuPCeiSte_ZKsQtq_AebedqvNtb5MAGMdrR81C5186r0716PCWeUM/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSQjNWuP-Q13KH-wh7fdXh5KAxFPjaCRUUoy-wBR7t4dDNYfktCOWqrWNquwH-XQwQFJvibD2tYR542d8iRkg70nuPCeiSte_ZKsQtq_AebedqvNtb5MAGMdrR81C5186r0716PCWeUM/s400/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";">Grab a copy of my debut book </i><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thestoryoftublu/" target="_blank">Story of Tublu</a></b></span></i><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"> from Amazon or Flipkart. It is a Contemporary Fiction novel, published by LiFi Publications Pvt Ltd. The book has its share of drama, that entertains; humor, that makes one reminisce; love, friendship and emotions that defines the amazing journey that is, life.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.in/dp/9382536752/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="28" data-original-width="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAANzkgE4A332wDdVvtf2e7X13K68Nt_ZFaEkIzi0uvWbIV2dQfsZbzx8bVS7y0mrB9hFCRegB5G2RRmx79_qWhGIsq0b1jHm1sFpDYdScBKU19Pf6L5FqDeKBaLw_ex_YQ1yJULREHw/s1600/buy_from_amazon.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flipkart.com/story-tublu-amazing-journey-called-life/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5?pid=9789382536758&affid=flashback" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="25" data-original-width="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3V1LHJNv5nnGqfFNq7j0oKu99SIR1ds2XlLuxWoxCGvA-MKzlnLXG9SLxGp__6dccJDgEbM8qWz3EGdu2F9tp1Zp_53wnRBJHzmdid8_xHu5S9LLfZcH5thWZjL54Dy6y8vTwwDsvZaM/s1600/buy_btn_flipkart.png" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
jahidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097607781740943913noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856434568744212755.post-86554401542665032652017-07-16T10:35:00.000-07:002017-07-16T11:18:55.959-07:00Paanch Pandav<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBnGg6bpP8cnZENv3VXoftp8VV7Cn2kHsZDB08D2380b2Z_9NzV40S9Zl9_RW1cenTha0SfVIqFpfM7iNllJ8NyUBwI3tXnAgzp3aFvbsZ8aVcBtw5vwrUw7Pu4Hsn1H5nRMNPBs5dVc/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="804" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBnGg6bpP8cnZENv3VXoftp8VV7Cn2kHsZDB08D2380b2Z_9NzV40S9Zl9_RW1cenTha0SfVIqFpfM7iNllJ8NyUBwI3tXnAgzp3aFvbsZ8aVcBtw5vwrUw7Pu4Hsn1H5nRMNPBs5dVc/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the Mahabharata, a Hindu epic text, the Pandavas are the five acknowledged sons of Pandu, by his two wives Kunti and Madri. Their names are Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva. The Mahabharata is the longest epic poem known and has been described as "the longest poem ever written". These 5 brothers are the life and soul of this epic. Yudhishthira was the eldest of them, and the other four respected him a lot. All the five brothers always remained together, loved each other, they shared everything among themselves. Later, all five brothers were married to the same woman, Draupadi. But all of them also had multiple other wives.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Due to some unavoidable circumstances the Five brothers had to leave their kingdom and lived in the forest for many years. They got to know from some travelers that a big Swayanvara (kind of contest) was to be held in the kingdom of Panchaal. The winner of the competition was to be offered the princess Draupadi's hand in marriage. It turned out that the winner was to be decided on the skills of archery. Arjuna was extraordinarily talented with shooting arrows. He entered the competition and won. The brothers took Draupadi and introduced to their mother, Kunti. They told mother that they had own a competition and received priceless alms. Mother Kunti was busy with something, and without looking at Draupadi she just casually ordered their sons to equally share the alms among the Five brothers. Their mother's order was supreme for the Pandavas, and they all agreed to share princess Draupadi among themselves.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The "Paanch Pandav" name was quite famous within our school, perhaps beyond the school boundaries as well. "Paanch Pandav" was the name given to a group of girls, all of them our classmates. They were very good friends, so called true friends. Friendship takes time, to know each other well, to share secrets without the worry that it could be leaked. They grew up together right from the start. Everyone admired their friendship. It was difficult to spot any of them individually, they would always be in group. During the breaks they would be together, gossiping, playing eating, everything together. They even visited the bathroom together. Even after school hours people used to see them together. They shared everything among themselves. Fortunately none of then had boyfriend that time, or things could have been different. Even after so many years, not only our classmates, but the juniors, seniors, everyone who passed out of KV BRPL still remembers the "Paanch Pandav". </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't know why but our "Paanch Pandav" always reminded me of The Spice Girls. Well, Spice Girls are an English pop girl group formed in 1994. That was the time when they were becoming very popular. Spice Girls were also a group of Five girls, all gorgeous, just like the Paanch Pandav.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The "Paanch Pandav" :</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Arundhati</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Pallabita</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Neena</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anurupa</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="_5yl5">Anusuya </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCqiaqOU5dSK6_0vZuwLWQMFjzlhVLnqEK0XNB4hNuvOvUMXVjntmezg2zvHvzAg_BalR9mWCCwpV6LOqJttf0FkAaB0BZvzz8UES7cbY0l0cYPuAkZ08rHw1KVdzMaRw0xTaWoWqQ9E/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="960" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCqiaqOU5dSK6_0vZuwLWQMFjzlhVLnqEK0XNB4hNuvOvUMXVjntmezg2zvHvzAg_BalR9mWCCwpV6LOqJttf0FkAaB0BZvzz8UES7cbY0l0cYPuAkZ08rHw1KVdzMaRw0xTaWoWqQ9E/s640/6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";">Grab a copy of my debut book </i><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thestoryoftublu/" target="_blank">Story of Tublu</a></b></span></i><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"> from Amazon or Flipkart. It is a Contemporary Fiction novel, published by LiFi Publications Pvt Ltd. The book has its share of drama, that entertains; humor, that makes one reminisce; love, friendship and emotions that defines the amazing journey that is, life.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.in/dp/9382536752/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="28" data-original-width="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1l1kHE0u2_ELs-_CF_tEOYtbDJxiHPCSYVIyqka5J7Xh6rKunM9Nmv6mLef40n3l-14Lh0g5dnN_aTfOkB9yeSLSUVGRUX6hnm0M8mauTfDKVOlor34yfTE1gEID5aefvU-IrK85uzbw/s1600/buy_from_amazon.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flipkart.com/story-tublu-amazing-journey-called-life/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5?pid=9789382536758&affid=flashback" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="25" data-original-width="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfPAH8ZGrCycO9eNkDZ164E3nD8MiTFCW7Tj87gWWu94NQPUhZX6Zg6A7GuBaYd_Ic3IvY1F4_BP5mDXp0AcQBxlEesS_O_t29cAdQSYel7IHu_LaDyz1up1_OHMG5KiheqAz16GriTQ/s1600/buy_btn_flipkart.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
</div>
jahidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097607781740943913noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856434568744212755.post-32509205708035820092017-05-20T03:39:00.000-07:002017-05-20T11:27:04.867-07:00Half Girlfriend<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYhUimmHIAsgIYLJQ2DZU_N7eeW8r5M2AH-S2jghLaBr5QKl5ktiAhrB1aQwJcKshNWfw5X28P5hCgpv6TyLRmVq2COls1VHaNOjbNzyRK6XpSlwu7gr6R1WMlg2YlBjh1upsNLi5q5I/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYhUimmHIAsgIYLJQ2DZU_N7eeW8r5M2AH-S2jghLaBr5QKl5ktiAhrB1aQwJcKshNWfw5X28P5hCgpv6TyLRmVq2COls1VHaNOjbNzyRK6XpSlwu7gr6R1WMlg2YlBjh1upsNLi5q5I/s320/3.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
During our Engineering college hostel days we had a senior. We used to call him “Arvind da” (Name changed). He was very friendly and decent. He used to roam around with a girl of his same batch from different branch. She was Pooja(Name changed). They would enjoy their evening stroll in the campus, spent time together in the canteen, go movies together, only two of them. The beautiful lady also frequently visited him in our hostel. He stayed in a single room. They would spend good amount of time in the hostel on the weekends, and then went out by the college bus. For us they were ideal couples. They looked alike, both had the kind of charm, they always had smile on their face. Those were pre internet and pre mobile phone days. We also didn’t have a landline phone at our hostel, it showed up much later. But our Girls hostel had one from the beginning. If the boys had to communicate with their girlfriends or friends they had to either give a visit or go to the telephone booth about a km away. But during the ragging days there was also another option. The seniors would write letters, yes, hand-written letters, and would ask some decent first semester guy to deliver it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, one day I met Pooja in the city. We both hello-ed. I asked if she's with Arvind da. She smiled. Aha, I remember her smile, so delightful. She said she's alone, some shopping stuffs. Later in the evening I and one more friend were with Arvind da, in his room. We were simply gossiping, smoking. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Today, I met you girlfriend near Pan Bazar, " I said.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Girlfriend? I don’t have any girlfriend."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Come on Arvind da," the words came out from me and my friend’s mouth simultaneously.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Are you talking about Pooja ?" Asked Arvind da.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Ofcourse yes, or who else?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Arvind da laughed, "Pooja is not my girlfriend."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The discussion continued for some more time. Arvind da was close to us. He tried to explain his relationship with Pooja. But we were not convinced.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"So you mean to say Pooja is only your friend and not girlfriend?" I asked.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Arvind da remained silent for a while. And then he said, "It’s much more than friendship I must acknowledge. But then she’s not my girlfriend. It is somewhere in between."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We were totally confused.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Are you guys into some kind of physical relationship?" My friend asked.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Arvind da tried to bring his charming smile on his face, but it was fake. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"No yaar, nothing like that."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Not the hard core type, but kissing and may be some other soft stuffs?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Arvind da again laughed and denied. I think he was upset with the question. He was a very emotional and simple guy.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Forget it. You will not understand our relationship. It’s very complicated," he commented, smile on his face.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Even though we were not matured enough to understand such relationships, but we didn’t bother our senior friend anymore since then. A couple of years later it was time for Arvind da's batch to move out of hostel. We still had another two years. It was time to depart. Arvind da passed us a small diary. We were supposed to write our address/contact number/email address (Yes, suddenly internet cafes became a booming business those days). I noticed many of the guys mentioned some goodbye quotes on the diary. I was confused. It’s pretty easy to say Hello and get introduced for the first time, but farewell quotes are difficult. I didn’t know what to write? And then something came to my mind and I penned it down, fast.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Arvind da laughed. It seemed he liked my goodbye message.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Actually such relationships has had always existed. Some relationship better remain unnamed, unrecognized. Chetan Bhagat tried to give it a name. Like many others, even I didn’t like the idea. I think for some people "Half Boyfriend" name would have been more convincing name than "Half Girlfriend", or does it anyway matter? My wife picked up the book from a store long back. Even though I’m not a big fan of Chetan Bhagat but I read the book. I felt an emotional relationship is not presented in a mature way. But the book is a best seller. The novel is made into a movie as well. I don’t have any plan to watch it though, but "Half Girlfriend" made more than ten crores on its opening day. Not half bad, isn’t it?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";">Grab a copy of my debut book </i><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thestoryoftublu/" target="_blank">Story of Tublu</a></b></span></i><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"> from Amazon or Flipkart. It is a Contemporary Fiction novel, published by LiFi Publications Pvt Ltd. The book has its share of drama, that entertains; humor, that makes one reminisce; love, friendship and emotions that defines the amazing journey that is, life.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.in/dp/9382536752/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibR7-wXbi-ltcHMRfyIopt4uhYjXu1VWK0XCDB182Ea8Bs5sKCrqdHITYY4b3eTEUZ56c01dz-uI43ccILWu5gXW3Xb9Lc7iAvuVB9hCjU_4JAOICq9xBI2Xpz10Es_vJVBGxgyPlpVJA/s1600/buy_from_amazon.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flipkart.com/story-tublu-amazing-journey-called-life/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5?pid=9789382536758&affid=flashback" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPB_L7XGW2OtNIsr5RPxGE7g_ipIvPxAt7-kxpnPjORW8MEHY8qwZ807uSLfIl04mCIGGYmWCqYGHSw5qDjWbQaYOYNoDyD4mwuCTPnEKSndJdq33E1kNBkiunoYY6ifk9LDUiXFwtTSc/s1600/buy_btn_flipkart.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
jahidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097607781740943913noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856434568744212755.post-64058943770569741932017-04-22T12:46:00.002-07:002017-04-22T23:03:24.286-07:00Michael Learns to Rock<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5vbkAhIlkiUiUd5AW2vdHgyons-Qzl56WC62Yz1uwSe3agqA1TzFH6ybuVllvRfqjn_C8BkdH4757dtTym34SY3adznNJBssslAt_1Y7sDqkiBcPLli2YuZYKG7g5QFHhvbWOzVyEHI/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5vbkAhIlkiUiUd5AW2vdHgyons-Qzl56WC62Yz1uwSe3agqA1TzFH6ybuVllvRfqjn_C8BkdH4757dtTym34SY3adznNJBssslAt_1Y7sDqkiBcPLli2YuZYKG7g5QFHhvbWOzVyEHI/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Michael Learns to Rock (also known as MLTR) was one of the most popular band during our schooldays. It is a Danish pop/soft rock band. Formed in 1988 and they have sold more than 11 million records over the course of their career. With romantic lyrics and melodious tunes all of their songs were very popular in India. Not only romantic people, even the heartbroken ones also loved MLTR songs. Recently they had a very successful concert in 4 cities in India. Fans in Gurgaon, Guwahati, Dimapur and Kolkata had the opportunity to hear MLTR's melodious tunes as part of their 25th anniversary tour.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have an interesting memory about one of their songs titled “That's Why You Go Away”. It’s a beautiful song, and the lyric too catchy.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>"</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background-color: yellow;">Baby</span> won't you tell me why there is sadness in your eyes</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>I don't wanna say goodbye to you</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Love is one big illusion I should try to forget</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>But there is something left in my head</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>You're the one who set it up now you're the one to make it stop</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>I'm the one who's feeling lost right now</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Now you want me to forget every little thing you said</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>But there is something left in my head</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>I won't forget the way you're <span style="background-color: yellow;">kissing</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>The feeling's so strong were lasting for so long</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>But I'm not the <span style="background-color: yellow;">man</span> your heart is missing</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>That's why you go away I know</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>You were never satisfied no matter how I tried</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Now you wanna say goodbye to me</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Love is one big illusion I should try to forget</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>But there is something left in my head</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>I won't forget the way you're <span style="background-color: yellow;">kissing</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>The feeling's… </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>"</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We were in grade eleven. Our senior batch was about to leave school. It was farewell time. Like everywhere else in our case also it was the immediate junior’s responsibility to organize the farewell party. It was an emotional moment. We knew that now our seniors would move ahead in life. Next year we would be in their place. It was fun time. Lot of music, dance and some laughter mingled with tears. I and my friends were eagerly waiting for a chorus song to be performed by the girls of our grade. The song was none other than MLTR’s "That's Why You Go Away". We heard the girls practicing for the last one week. The particular song was selected by our English ma'am. We were very confused. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>"The song is just too romantic. How does it fit for a school farewell event? I mean just look at the lyrics – "I won't forget the way you're kissing"</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But our English ma’am was just too intelligent. A simple amendment to the lyrics made it a perfect farewell song. She simply manipulated three words and the song just turned into an exclusive dedication from the immediate junior girls to the senior boys. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strike style="background-color: yellow;">Baby</strike> Brother won't you tell me why there is sadness in your eyes</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't wanna say goodbye to you</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Love is one big illusion I should try to forget</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But there is something left in my head</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You're the one who set it up now you're the one to make it stop</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm the one who's feeling lost right now</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now you want me to forget every little thing you said</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But there is something left in my head</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I won't forget the way you're <strike style="background-color: yellow;">kissing</strike> blessing</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The feeling's so strong were lasting for so long</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But I'm not the <strike style="background-color: yellow;">man</strike> sister your heart is missing</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That's why you go away I know</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You were never satisfied no matter how I tried</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now you wanna say goodbye to me</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Love is one big illusion I should try to forget</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But there is something left in my head</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I won't forget the way you're <strike style="background-color: yellow;">kissing</strike> blessing</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The feeling's… </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
The girls performed really well on stage, and some of them were laughing too.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now listen to this wonderful song:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4T5g-9E6PUs/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4T5g-9E6PUs?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";">Grab a copy of my debut book </i><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thestoryoftublu/" target="_blank">Story of Tublu</a></b></span></i><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"> from Amazon or Flipkart. It is a Contemporary Fiction novel, published by LiFi Publications Pvt Ltd. The book has its share of drama, that entertains; humor, that makes one reminisce; love, friendship and emotions that defines the amazing journey that is, life.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.in/dp/9382536752/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9treIDC1sMck5Y-wF-1R-UPM9qGN_D7dFtEk-aytYoDrb4hA7njC4efEHi8UETnbnG3r8x8qzz8xgLtTLkga-NPK3lRU7x72yxOsGsSgTN39Wg8FOW6mRDc14Dlzeogbjs_ixpsHu74/s1600/buy_from_amazon.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flipkart.com/story-tublu-amazing-journey-called-life/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5?pid=9789382536758&affid=flashback" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHegSyPbnm5N4kIjOczpTfFyKOb5D_my71zatuXOTEJApWxBp_7v4BTmqmn106AtUtQj9Lg9UwEiQMJRyWdnZZrmwd2vcX5WG79fNFlqhjxPJZh32cgMikexO5FtWN-e_tJy9UHF8pg8Y/s1600/buy_btn_flipkart.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
</div>
jahidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097607781740943913noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856434568744212755.post-41050573358998828262017-02-13T11:53:00.000-08:002017-02-13T12:02:16.047-08:00How I met Anjali - 7<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgydDnBfz2BYPs_Ynp9-SVQH_BCLjhy2E6m5rmb31SolNQYhJQ-lqc_WbY55XeKg25o2r_kAsSfwUYnMMFHg5n5_SunGOdrIQMpI2yrG4i7IBDDSG6sGm_D5A2193Uif6rnJCsqcwK_PbI/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgydDnBfz2BYPs_Ynp9-SVQH_BCLjhy2E6m5rmb31SolNQYhJQ-lqc_WbY55XeKg25o2r_kAsSfwUYnMMFHg5n5_SunGOdrIQMpI2yrG4i7IBDDSG6sGm_D5A2193Uif6rnJCsqcwK_PbI/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><a href="http://jahidakhtar.blogspot.com/2014/02/how-i-met-anjali-6.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">How I met Anjali - 6</span></a></i><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I’m pretty sure I and my old buddies didn’t know about Valentine’s Day during our schooldays. It doesn’t mean we were among the good guys, only our general knowledge was weak. In those pre-internet days, I think even the love birds of our hometown were also ignorant about the blessing and the strong affectionate wishing of this particular day. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After I joined Engineering College, the situation remained the same, even though my general knowledge improved a bit, but joy of Valentine’s Day was ocean’s apart. That was the time when this day of love was becoming more and more popular in India. So popular that some political organizations started to take advantage out of it by picking couple from the parks, and then insult them, harass them, all in the name of so called <i>Bhartiya Sanskriti </i>(for the sake of Indian culture). I remember one occasion when few of my college friends gathered under a tree to display their Valentine’s Day protest with paper banners and placards. Well, their intention was simply to tease some of the college love birds and to have some fun. Anyways, it was quite an entertainment to watch their protest.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The story was completely different after I met Anjali. I got to know Valentine’s Day more closely and deeply. I was in my 8th semester. It was yet another Valentine’s Day. I and Anjali visited Guwahati Kalakshetra. It is a cultural institution to promote the art in Assam. The place is close to nature with lot of open space to walk around. It has got neat and clean beautiful gardens. Kalakshetra has a museum which reserves old traditional things of various tribes of Northeast. There is also a beautiful art gallery and an open theater. People can enjoy live performances by various artists out there.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We were strolling around Kalakshetra. It was cold and foggy. I think it even rained for a while. Anjali always used to carry her fancy umbrella. We were not among the couples who held each other’s arms while they walk. The passage through the garden turned slippery. The trees looked beautiful. Water droplets on the leaves. It was green all around. Lovely weather. Great feeling. And then all of a sudden Anjali was down. She slipped. I laughed. Her clothes got dirty with mud. I gave her my hand. She stood up. She didn’t say thank you. Instead she shouted at me.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"You stupid. I fell down so badly and you’re laughing. Why you didn’t hold me when I slipped?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was totally stunned. "How the hell I know she’s going to fall?”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“You slipped so fast. I didn’t get any time to react,” I tried to be more defensive. But still the argument continued for quite some time. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It has been fifteen years, and all throughout her shouting never stopped. And for me, nothing changed much either, even today I prefer to play defensive.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";">Grab a copy of my debut book </i><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thestoryoftublu/" target="_blank">Story of Tublu</a></b></span></i><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"> from Amazon or Flipkart. It is a Contemporary Fiction novel, published by LiFi Publications Pvt Ltd. The book has its share of drama, that entertains; humor, that makes one reminisce; love, friendship and emotions that defines the amazing journey that is, life.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.in/dp/9382536752/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUGBubheaEiJeVOXoc4XTAZAww2jTc_iMwStV7rg0p-1SBXFY9HTQKc5DWwc92TR0V4XTTHOc1y2YGm04DgSgux2LpoZggfsoTWkmovJZ4xWj6KrTf8AVwrhQh5SUMNZ4BzJAbbhWr3Q/s1600/buy_from_amazon.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flipkart.com/story-tublu-amazing-journey-called-life/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5?pid=9789382536758&affid=flashback" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFd-YEKcV-fCTK5n_YkDykMVjYfkXh4dGmIbg6PZIavWzNLV_-XoI_KPS2tMCA8Wd-Gz_PHqtMz3wF8shN6gHO5WF6Xu1GDgBhJCK_PFPKFNeMu1PE9AyqZPYcksj_OM1HTH-is5Q2Pjw/s1600/buy_btn_flipkart.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
jahidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097607781740943913noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856434568744212755.post-18991423622821244112016-12-20T11:16:00.003-08:002016-12-20T11:16:53.916-08:00In Search of Light<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREDNUzgDw91FqVBrAdssJ2NwGffO5iN34R2WcMeJqGpHRf7oJpvfULa0bXUD94O-pCcIiJKh0SoOpZ6wBe5hsYHrHkh5kYIWG0sHgmYoVacWX-X5iJJDmqus0w8weExiZd7ZROqMNNsM/s1600/26.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREDNUzgDw91FqVBrAdssJ2NwGffO5iN34R2WcMeJqGpHRf7oJpvfULa0bXUD94O-pCcIiJKh0SoOpZ6wBe5hsYHrHkh5kYIWG0sHgmYoVacWX-X5iJJDmqus0w8weExiZd7ZROqMNNsM/s400/26.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A couple of years after we got married, Anjali went to Pune to pursue a post-graduation course. She was there for one complete year. I had to stay alone at home. I experienced this for the first time in life. Be it hostel or home, I never stayed all alone. It was boring. Not only boring, but to be honest it was scary as well. I couldn’t sleep properly at night. That particular year I visited Pune quite a few times. Initially I travelled by Volvo bus. It took 15 hours, but the journey was comfortable. Then with “Air Deccan” the game changed entirely. I was able to reach Pune in less than couple of hours, that too at matching Bangalore-Pune Volvo Bus price. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I stayed alone in Bangalore for almost a month. I visited my buddies on weekends, sometimes during weekdays as well. One day I came in contact with my college hostel buddies, Ram and Mriganka. They both recently moved to Bangalore and were searching for a place of shelter. I offered them our rented house. They agreed. They also shared the rent. I was happy to stay with my old buddies once again. Ram had always been as good as his name. He slept early, woke up very early, cleaned the house, took shower, finished with his Puja, prepared breakfast and tea, tried to wake us up before he left for office. On the other hand I and Mriganka maintained the same old hostel life style. But we both were chefs in the house.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was 11:15 pm. Ram was already dead in bed. I and Mriganka were watching TV. Mriganka had a cigarette with him. He went to the Kitchen to look for a matchbox. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“Oh shit,” We both realized we already used the last piece of the matchstick just couple of hours back to cook dinner. The gas lighter was not in working condition. We scanned the entire kitchen but couldn’t find a matchstick. We then looked at the place where Ram used to do his Puja, but no luck. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"The nearby shop must be closed by now," said Mriganka. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"We can find some light in the main road. There’s a wine shop there. If we’re going that far we can bring a quarter as well," I suggested, and Mriganka instantly liked the idea. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was 11:30 pm. We didn’t bother to wake up Ram. We locked the main door from outside. We started to walk. None of us had any vehicle that time. We reached our destination. The place was about half a km from our house. The cigarette shop was closed. The wine shop was also half closed. The shutter was down, not completely though. There was still some room for desperate buyers to place their order. We tried our part. We also made special request for a matchbox. Suddenly, a police jeep stopped in front of the shop with a screeching sound, applying brakes. Immediately the shutter was completely down. Few policemen approached us. Without saying anything they took us inside the vehicle. I and Mriganka kept pleading our innocence. But it seemed the policemen didn’t have ears. There was a handcuffed person sitting together with us at the back of the jeep. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Where are they taking us?" I asked the buddy.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He made a weird expression. We could make out that the guy was least bothered with our situation. I and Mriganka were terribly tensed. It had already been 15 minutes. We had no idea where the police were taking us to. I thought of calling some of my friends, but didn’t. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Are we going to stay in prison?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"What about going to office tomorrow morning?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Several disturbing thoughts were swimming around my head. Suddenly the jeep slowed down. A signboard grabbed my attention. "JP Nagar 2nd phase Police Station". The jeep stopped. I was pretty relaxed. We were actually at a walking distance from our house. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"But why it took so long? Must be police patrolling," my mind talked to me.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The policemen took us at the reception. They spoke something in Kannada which we couldn’t make out anything. The person at the reception seemed to be gentleman. He offered us seats. It was 12:30 in the night. The merciless policemen who picked us up already left. We had a chat with the gentleman in charge. Few constables also joined. One of them was very young. It seemed he joined the force recently. All were friendly to us. We got to know from them that we had violated some IPC section, but I couldn’t recall which one. I do remember the fine amount though. We were asked to pay Rs 250 each. We tried to argue, asked explanation.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I’m living in Bangalore for the last three years. It’s such a nice and cool city. This is for the first time I’m having such a bad experience," I actually tried to reduce the fine amount.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Bangalore has changed sir. It’s for your own safety. You have no idea what all late night crimes happen on the streets of Bangalore. People cut the ears and take away earrings. They hit on the head, take all the belongings," the good policeman explained.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We didn’t have 500 cash with us. They said we can pay the amount the next morning, and asked us to go home.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"But how could we walk home now. It’s so late. And you only mentioned about the ongoing criminal activities. Please escort us to home. We can pay the money now itself."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The policemen smiled, but they dropped us home. We went upstairs, unlocked the main door. Ram was still totally dead, snoring. We looked for the money. All total we had 450. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"You guys are staying in such a big house and you don’t have even 500 Rs to pay the Karnataka Government," one of the constable commented.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Sir, the house only looks big from outside, inside it is very small. And then it’s just a rented house," we clarified.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
They were about to go. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Sir, one small help. If you don’t mind could you please give us a matchstick?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Sorry we don’t smoke," was the answer.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Hopeless policemen," I wondered.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I and Mriganka went inside. We both had a good laugh. We didn’t give up so easily yet. We again searched for one precious matchstick. It was 1:30 am. Finally we went to sleep. Lucky cigarette. It actually survived the entire night.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";">Grab a copy of my debut book </i><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thestoryoftublu/" target="_blank">Story of Tublu</a></b></span></i><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"> from Amazon or Flipkart. It is a Contemporary Fiction novel, published by LiFi Publications Pvt Ltd. The book has its share of drama, that entertains; humor, that makes one reminisce; love, friendship and emotions that defines the amazing journey that is, life.</i><br />
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.in/dp/9382536752/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibp_UH44p1Y3Rqd73XX7Wa2kK-ZjWoYBWN-XmiYomh36uDY_R5DL5ZWBd9EB0mDRnVbuUArq18-H1GCMqEYvFIpYzDVJ6zXO5-rADe4JJR5rl_xqlIv0bHYkGtxmPe08K_vAnKInyJat8/s1600/buy_from_amazon.gif" /></a></div>
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flipkart.com/story-tublu-amazing-journey-called-life/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5?pid=9789382536758&affid=flashback" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ufJj61SQr_gfkGZu8jEIpRbfFrzyRPQ8Wc2Ka1AzPATWt6gYOkRblRsaQImM04clMNR90WNhJRBM4CTpxjwfBNpCHEYVhPTYH7QAGZYwtLlQ54-1ttk_ZhY_uywlhnJnEytpBxMmrCY/s1600/buy_btn_flipkart.png" /></a></div>
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
</div>
jahidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097607781740943913noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856434568744212755.post-58279032889849485392016-11-19T12:18:00.002-08:002016-11-19T12:18:12.751-08:00Tum Bin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8TaITyU4EwuRP-sy_zJF2L3H5N6JZNGKaPhaS5_ykDQXaUWU3wxYn-rXPg4GmjudkO6xVNA5-I4MLUAJh403qRhSrC6Moi57xjEOMPbmJiHOfDHEn9dOTVl0lF3pybonKv8apKgv7JE/s1600/25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8TaITyU4EwuRP-sy_zJF2L3H5N6JZNGKaPhaS5_ykDQXaUWU3wxYn-rXPg4GmjudkO6xVNA5-I4MLUAJh403qRhSrC6Moi57xjEOMPbmJiHOfDHEn9dOTVl0lF3pybonKv8apKgv7JE/s400/25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Watching movies during our Engineering hostel days was fun. Those were the days when laptops we made only for the CEO kind of people, and mobile phone users felt proud to carry one. Quite rarely though, but when any handset started to ring in any public place, owners didn’t accept the call immediately. They would take the phone in hand, had a closer look at the B&W screen, still ringing. Only after nearby people got to know that the particular person is having a mobile phone, the call was answered.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our college was located at the outskirts of Guwahati city, and our hostel was at the extreme end of the campus, surrounded by hills. There was a time when only a single computer was there in the entire hostel, and unfortunately it was in my room. Initially, we used to bring movie CD's on rent from some of the video parlors in the city. They charged heavily for 24 hours, and any delay in returning was again a pain in the ass. Almost everyone loved to watch movies, but there were only a few who usually took initiative to bring the CD's, counted how many guys watched the movie, calculated the share accordingly, collected the money from everyone, and returned the stuffs.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The following semester many more desktops arrived in the hostel, similarly in all the other hostels of our college. Soon, latest Bollywood/Hollywood movies, along with the other category of movies which were on high demand, were available in the campus itself. Watching movies became easier and cheaper. But there were also issues with those pirated CD's. Apart from the low picture quality, there was also a much bigger problem. While watching, all of a sudden the computer got hung. We tried many options, but most of the time a restart was the only solution. Sometimes in a single movie session we had to restart multiple times. Guys usually avoided CD's with scratches on it, but sometimes even handsome looking CD/DVD was also capable enough in hanging the computer. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
'Would you like to watch “Tum Bin” movie? My friend Rajat asked.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
'Tum Bin? Is it a new movie? Never heard of it,' I answered.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
'It’s a latest one. I’ve heard it’s a very good movie. If you want I can bring it, we can watch on your computer,' Rajat suggested.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was a bit confused. Even though Rajat watched many movies with us, but it was for the first time he was taking an initiative. I said, ‘okay, let’s inform our buddies, we will watch together.'</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Unlike him, he was a bit reluctant to watch it together with other friends. 'Too much crowd also spoils the fun. Everyone keep talking, we cannot concentrate properly.'</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
'But then our individual contribution would be pretty high in that case.'</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Rajat smiled, 'That’s okay. You need not pay. Anyway, we will watch on your PC only.'</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My confusion started to create ripples of suspicion in my mind. "How come Rajat is so much interested in the movie. He’s willing to bring the CD and also want to pay for it, alone."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, in the same afternoon Rajat brought the CD. We watched "Tum Bin" together, only two of us. Even my room-mate, Nair, wasn’t present, he was not in room that afternoon. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
'It’s an okay kind of movie, not that great. What’s so special about it that you were so much interested?' I asked out of suspicion. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Rajat smiled. 'I don’t know, but some of my friends said it’s a very good movie.'</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Later in the night, I shared the experience with Nair. Both Rajat and Nair were from Mechanical branch. After listening to my words, Nair couldn’t stop laughing. He then told me the real reason behind Rajat’s interest in "Tum Bin".</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>"Tum Bin movie starred Priyanshu Chatterjee. He’s the main hero in the movie. Priyanshu made his Bollywood debut with Tum Bin in 2001. Some guys from the Mechanical batch already watched the movie. They said the new actor looked very similar to Rajat. The entire classroom started to tease him, called him Priyanshu. Rajat was very happy, particularly when few girls also joined the party."</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We then went to Rajat's room with few more guys, pulled his legs for the next two-three hours.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9q9O9aZZ-6cmLvFzgUwU3vn1pcvNlk2cVOMdajE4KEKwACNqYGKPibjEKcGEL96WC81itRZIwQdSyiotPJbA5ptP6WBNr1oNFbpt6YmYRLu6jwx9azLBLj6_ZxLB6nvUKBijv96Q0ZI/s1600/24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9q9O9aZZ-6cmLvFzgUwU3vn1pcvNlk2cVOMdajE4KEKwACNqYGKPibjEKcGEL96WC81itRZIwQdSyiotPJbA5ptP6WBNr1oNFbpt6YmYRLu6jwx9azLBLj6_ZxLB6nvUKBijv96Q0ZI/s400/24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";">Grab a copy of my debut book </i><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thestoryoftublu/" target="_blank">Story of Tublu</a></b></span></i><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"> from Amazon or Flipkart. It is a Contemporary Fiction novel, published by LiFi Publications Pvt Ltd. The book has its share of drama, that entertains; humor, that makes one reminisce; love, friendship and emotions that defines the amazing journey that is, life.</i><br />
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.in/dp/9382536752/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNORJQ4R-W8Cc4i_B045iJuSI8e3u9Gzkbr6t2pdWTY-z6yS-FiYSZPfvfXEw7As_IS5FP-IadV9eiD-agyWuRXOouloZkNIU9txxyPRYU4m8-0HB03sTzn-TFahAqTjSDJT7lx_dB80/s1600/buy_from_amazon.gif" /></a></div>
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flipkart.com/story-tublu-amazing-journey-called-life-english/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5?pid=9789382536758&affid=flashback" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxecSYbxVPq4vE0HaoFJ81S8AgRT3IJ_aF9ig1JYqzEAji-_VIa7LR2CDCGn6BWT6l4r-SRwidD6PlpCymolTD70V2t4QkB58ILG9JXN6VproeE6b_1y-kHuJA5wYJvmf4kYKbDlTDAG0/s1600/buy_btn_flipkart.png" /></a></div>
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i>
<div>
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
jahidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097607781740943913noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856434568744212755.post-88827724016102508632016-10-29T22:25:00.002-07:002016-10-29T22:25:44.834-07:00Asia's Cleanest Village<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnn42GYUqWUWD-evxjKbf-9nZ7xDqPKyrIABjY8zKo7QdkWmj7skZCtbAQVKOUY87FGSntZMp6JD-DCh1uxb2ZBK6hddqZgE73DxG3PXjkEgLxYdk8K8JsiErnvu1CZMvevsIcQfP8ZM/s1600/18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnn42GYUqWUWD-evxjKbf-9nZ7xDqPKyrIABjY8zKo7QdkWmj7skZCtbAQVKOUY87FGSntZMp6JD-DCh1uxb2ZBK6hddqZgE73DxG3PXjkEgLxYdk8K8JsiErnvu1CZMvevsIcQfP8ZM/s400/18.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
No, it’s not in China or Japan. Neither it’s in the Middle East nor in Indonesia or Philippines. It is in India. Asia's Cleanest Village is "Mawlynnong", located amidst of lush green forest of East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, a state in the North East part of India. It is a tiny village, 600-odd person, 100 percent literacy, well-known for its cleanliness and natural attraction. Mawlynnong was awarded the prestigious tag of 'Cleanest Village in Asia' in 2003 by Discover India Magazine.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Meghalaya in itself is very beautiful. All the villages in Meghalaya are quite clean as compared to other parts of India. But Mawlynnong is a completely different story altogether. This is for the first time I visited such a village, so well maintained, such clean road. I was very curious how the villagers manage such cleanliness. Because of this curiosity Mawlynnong attracts so many tourists. I was simply mesmerized with the surrounding, colorful tress, hanging fruits and vegetables. I had the sweetest pineapples there that are grown abundantly in this region. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwUb66-t_xL2-gP4xuHQCgybcZs9111WG22CMT8hYX6HEjKjErF1tsh-6hf98TIl_1LyICAcsbyyXzoyZkI4IiIQtYXrNDRte7erC7O3FHQjftqhyuTeZ2F-DA7J9S7_7Di75KXYyxq8/s1600/17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwUb66-t_xL2-gP4xuHQCgybcZs9111WG22CMT8hYX6HEjKjErF1tsh-6hf98TIl_1LyICAcsbyyXzoyZkI4IiIQtYXrNDRte7erC7O3FHQjftqhyuTeZ2F-DA7J9S7_7Di75KXYyxq8/s640/17.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I observed that the cleanliness is deep-rooted in their culture. I noticed many villagers with brooms in hand, the children cleaning the streets, sweeping up dead leaves and garbage. The locals are so humble and well-mannered. Whenever a visitor dropped something on the ground, they wouldn’t say anything to the visitor directly. But they would pick it up and throw it in the rubbish bins. Well, the garbage bins are also so beautiful, hand-made with bamboo, cone-shaped baskets. The traditional bamboo waste baskets are scattered all over the village, on the streets, outside each and every house.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCkFAT2wkUPsWQk4r7zCdI9X3ga19eIZ0301E6Q3d49GO6irARTmCh1ZQU6xjulcNFHV9IGveg81mElu0hsOissFPbxbR1UQ5cmjmZhoWUsWQL5bggADlfZUj-UeLN7qGgoUKirG-jd8/s1600/19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCkFAT2wkUPsWQk4r7zCdI9X3ga19eIZ0301E6Q3d49GO6irARTmCh1ZQU6xjulcNFHV9IGveg81mElu0hsOissFPbxbR1UQ5cmjmZhoWUsWQL5bggADlfZUj-UeLN7qGgoUKirG-jd8/s640/19.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The houses are mostly traditional thatched hut. The villagers plan to keep it that way, they simply want to keep their traditions alive. I had a talk with few of the locals. There were many tourists, both Indian and foreigners. I got to know from the villagers that cleanliness has been a practice from the time of their forefathers. Right from the beginning the kids are taught in schools about the importance of cleanliness in living a good life. As soon as the kids reach Grade 1 or Grade 2 they are given the task of keeping the area around the house clean. I was highly impressed with the system.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBR2g0xuwgws4ym_y3-ZrG_-Y4-7LqxPuUcZbb0w9zMFp3GTRllhcpYPUESMFsTak4kDEt9Jwd2-lHeF_UmBY8x13KhbMwA94qxaboB5PA6eLCRN5hvLXheLaowmF9ectFXZxlu7HXrYk/s1600/20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBR2g0xuwgws4ym_y3-ZrG_-Y4-7LqxPuUcZbb0w9zMFp3GTRllhcpYPUESMFsTak4kDEt9Jwd2-lHeF_UmBY8x13KhbMwA94qxaboB5PA6eLCRN5hvLXheLaowmF9ectFXZxlu7HXrYk/s640/20.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Another satisfying thing in Mawlynnong was the food. We enjoyed such a delightful lunch out there. The chicken curry, rice, vegetables, everything was delicious. And yes, the chutneys were so refreshing. The little eatery place was also magnificently clean. My tummy was full, but not my heart. After lunch, we just lazed there for a while. There were smoking areas. I was over cautious to flick the ash out of my hand. We had tea in a small stall. I looked at the kettle while the tea boiled. It was actually shining, so clean. I had a chat with some tourists, a group who were on a road trip all the way from Maharashtra. They liked the village so much that they stayed there for 10 days. Even though there’s a guest house at Mawlynnong, but some families also offer home-stay facilities to the visitors who want to stay long. Such decisions are not taken individually though, but the entire village collectively decide on that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONddBBGmdP3ZvJfnjL9K16UfKCkTAqeMeTb1mhoic9MecFj60r3SwXjRZ4LxaZUgcKFB0c5iVMijuqMrUF2AsHN5eY-J1ZtWG72pIPl4jI5lcerQu53epAjYuhJjUJyon-FSa_6oUOgk/s1600/21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONddBBGmdP3ZvJfnjL9K16UfKCkTAqeMeTb1mhoic9MecFj60r3SwXjRZ4LxaZUgcKFB0c5iVMijuqMrUF2AsHN5eY-J1ZtWG72pIPl4jI5lcerQu53epAjYuhJjUJyon-FSa_6oUOgk/s640/21.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was time to experience the Living Root Bridges. We enjoyed a wonderful trek, about 1 or 2 km to a neighboring village, Riwai. We reached the spectacular natural bridge that makes a pathway across a stream, making it easy for villagers to commute. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdssVwLWvZx5Xr2890X71G31VxqSzTgIHNP2Q93C0r0-yJzG0Pk54khBCoZWHuEhz5-PVxQWFCKUVGQV2JhHyWW1o0VPCOSPmWrQTZ5W-99rzIyaLkuJe2lY6vp7r7A1_XLkN1P9rx6rA/s1600/15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdssVwLWvZx5Xr2890X71G31VxqSzTgIHNP2Q93C0r0-yJzG0Pk54khBCoZWHuEhz5-PVxQWFCKUVGQV2JhHyWW1o0VPCOSPmWrQTZ5W-99rzIyaLkuJe2lY6vp7r7A1_XLkN1P9rx6rA/s640/15.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Living root bridges are unique to Meghalaya. There are many such bridges all around Cherrapunji. This is an age old method used by villagers to cross the numerous streams in the area. According to Wikipedia the local Khasi people do not know when or how the tradition of living root bridges started. The earliest written record of Cherrapunji's living root bridges is by Lieutenant H Yule, who expressed astonishment about them in the 1844 Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTJmqzbTPMRwQp_gWbLXH1DsdeWVT-Bwk77KHtAIvCLBjGPWDbHduDr5pjvRgkeQLSoFxDMJoH2I2GhA2QDEA1-CYdK00aSp08ROh2xyOrTsshynjBfAW2NVP4Q5XUFgQVXImx3Xy5go/s1600/16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTJmqzbTPMRwQp_gWbLXH1DsdeWVT-Bwk77KHtAIvCLBjGPWDbHduDr5pjvRgkeQLSoFxDMJoH2I2GhA2QDEA1-CYdK00aSp08ROh2xyOrTsshynjBfAW2NVP4Q5XUFgQVXImx3Xy5go/s640/16.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mawlynnong is a lovely experience, something to cherish forever.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";">Grab a copy of my debut book </i><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thestoryoftublu/" target="_blank">Story of Tublu</a></b></span></i><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"> from Amazon or Flipkart. It is a Contemporary Fiction novel, published by LiFi Publications Pvt Ltd. The book has its share of drama, that entertains; humor, that makes one reminisce; love, friendship and emotions that defines the amazing journey that is, life.</i><br />
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.in/dp/9382536752/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_95stR1EjhY4OsaPz4IKPfCogrQd4r3Wp7HJyscmUZHXGuvS3421KJKbbDDBuNsq8Nnt0OaOj_pUvd3f9KZDlZ_KF5QlVEVY5HVpOVChatSkom6FUschzD3bcfeotTTSVxHJkV7_fV4/s1600/buy_from_amazon.gif" /></a></div>
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flipkart.com/story-tublu-amazing-journey-called-life-english/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5?pid=9789382536758&affid=flashback" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjdkrQ8t5NeXdHsYyP0lvILJ0WiMB2wWQ43VOFVZSDiDwERQb-sEY1xd5Gc0Z_IH6GL1EOU9h_Is2TID08ZbEhpn6Q0gSrwm_f_hyphenhyphen-VqtVAS112SaUYAIsAUfi5HvgkT47KjMAjv5x0M/s1600/buy_btn_flipkart.png" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
jahidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097607781740943913noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856434568744212755.post-51531797923903949142016-08-13T03:59:00.001-07:002016-08-13T03:59:09.786-07:00Titanic<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIAFZCiwssBVkVN3i6t0VW4Y_e4LPCVY4UIhh7Ofxaker4iufLfQ58iEX6ykMDWEUTerZmyRPOU_AOAAXtNmjJ6jQ_44s3Jg9GvN9THvWpEt1yEjlVJirwC-peUYvBOL4c7i-meTlzsE/s1600/winslet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIAFZCiwssBVkVN3i6t0VW4Y_e4LPCVY4UIhh7Ofxaker4iufLfQ58iEX6ykMDWEUTerZmyRPOU_AOAAXtNmjJ6jQ_44s3Jg9GvN9THvWpEt1yEjlVJirwC-peUYvBOL4c7i-meTlzsE/s320/winslet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Those days, watching movies was not less than any festival. I remember the Sunday evening movies aired on Doordarshan. After waiting for the entire week everyone just loved to watch the Sunday evening movie together along with friends and neighbors. On New Year’s Eve, during family and friend get-together, when lot of relatives used to visit home, and on few more similar gatherings people used to rent VCR and movie video cassettes. Even though after the introduction of cable TV things got changed, but the tradition of watching movies together like a festival continued for few more years. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I remember "Titanic" movie was released during those days, in the late Nineties, the time when I passed out of school and was about to join Engineering college. Titanic was one of the biggest blockbuster till date. It's an epic romance-disaster film directed, written, co-produced, and co-edited by James Cameron. A fictionalized account of the sinking of the RMS Titanic. RMS Titanic was a British passenger liner that sank in the North Atlantic Ocean in the early morning of 15 April 1912, after colliding with an iceberg during her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City. The movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet as members of different social classes who fall in love aboard the ship during its ill-fated maiden voyage. The movie won hearts across the globe. Everything is so perfect about the movie, the emotions, romance, cinematography, special effects. It was the most expensive film made at that time. Titanic was nominated for, and won several Academy Awards, including the awards for Best Picture.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Most of my friends already watched Titanic by then, but I wanted to watch it on a bigger screen. Finally, I had the opportunity to experience the magic of James Cameron during a short Guwahati trip. Months later, I don’t exactly remember the occasion but our house was full with guests. Many relatives visited at the same time, cousins uncles, aunties, some elderly relatives as well. The situation was perfect for a movie festival. Some of us went to to rent VCR and movie cassettes. The majority, particularly my mother demanded to watch Titanic. It was a lovely afternoon. I remember an international cricket test match was going on between India vs West Indies. In between the movies, sometimes I paused for a while just to look at the score, and every time my mother and few other relatives shouted at me for the disturbance. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, we were watching Titanic. The TV room was completely packed, not enough space was left to accommodate another person. My father was also enjoying the movie. At a particular moment, when Kate requests Leonardo to sketch her picture, I was getting a bit uncomfortable. But I was quite grown-up then, I thought it wouldn’t be nice to step out of the room. I simply played a trick, I wanted to switch to the cricket match without pausing the movie for a while. Unlike other times, even after having a look at the score I didn’t switch back to the movie. The audience were getting impatient, and my mother turned furious.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"You don't let us watch even a single movie in peace," she screamed and then Kate Winslet reappeared on the TV screen, but this time without any clothing. Before my mother could realize she already returned to her seat. The room turned more silent as Kate and Leonardo got more closer. I tried to be cool as if nothing happened, tried to sustain the illusion that I was concentrating on the movie. With my third eye I wanted to have a look at everyone’s expression that moment. And then one elderly uncle suggested, "We can watch cricket for a while." But I remained a statue. Finally, after the painting session was over, everyone had a big sigh of relief.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";">Grab a copy of my debut book </i><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thestoryoftublu/" target="_blank">Story of Tublu</a></b></span></i><i style="font-family: "times new roman";"> from Amazon or Flipkart. It is a Contemporary Fiction novel, published by LiFi Publications Pvt Ltd. The book has its share of drama, that entertains; humor, that makes one reminisce; love, friendship and emotions that defines the amazing journey that is, life.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.in/dp/9382536752/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2rTYmSkLMdm-uwXfcR4TLhSPeXuQhOVtuWhUU-0_ipXowfJzPMZ96G-DPCwLMKdZcgyirv3I50NQKpJrVvamZTgDxeT7BGpc_FGtx-o_vFn0zJAwN62dw5_sR6bstVKHj4xeQV4z-c-k/s1600/buy_from_amazon.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flipkart.com/story-tublu-amazing-journey-called-life-english/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5?pid=9789382536758&affid=flashback" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLt6BgmGzH9TjFW1mAB2saaKV1Sh8sUk1YocVs5RkHJSF0irIvUtZuGXNuq3_FyMc1eslRVJN-cEhrSZBe6J0CwbNrtKvhyphenhyphenMXYWAm-7ZRu8PYJbcFk33jw4eDeS8oQiGZn_Wdj5TXEDTc/s1600/buy_btn_flipkart.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></i></div>
</div>
jahidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097607781740943913noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856434568744212755.post-57637993746151024882016-06-25T03:51:00.000-07:002016-06-25T03:51:06.195-07:00Love Sex And Bollywood<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNA8q42bQgM0Uqu-25Es6J4SGOgGqBaGPLBAni07CC8oI5gtH-7I88Gc9efxLvQAFfgDckfHwHHoLI27fPqcR7CSj7Xbxt7oE4YJyoI5zRdS1sHHjxxMBCxlUoweJfhplizo4WHlR110/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNA8q42bQgM0Uqu-25Es6J4SGOgGqBaGPLBAni07CC8oI5gtH-7I88Gc9efxLvQAFfgDckfHwHHoLI27fPqcR7CSj7Xbxt7oE4YJyoI5zRdS1sHHjxxMBCxlUoweJfhplizo4WHlR110/s320/12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I grew up in the Eighties-Nineties, watching Bollywood movies like every other kids. In those days Love-Sex-Bollywood was quite an amusing combination. Romance has always been an integral part of Bollywood, and sex and romance is something that can’t remain in isolation for long. But there’s a problem. Bollywood firmly believed that a woman, particularly the heroine must be a virgin till she gets married. The romance between hero-heroine usually happened during songs at beautiful locations in the midst of greenery, hills, surrounding a lake or in a heavenly garden with flowers all around. But just when people expect their lips to meet the camera turns either focusing some beautiful flowers or the top of trees, and sometimes also at beautiful pair of birds doing similar act which our hero-heroine were expected to do.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I’m not a big fan of romantic movies to be very honest, but I’ve watched quite a few of them, and noticed the changes over the last few decades. Rajesh Khanna is considered as the initial king of romance. Rajesh Khanna had given many blockbusters including movies like Aradhana(1969) and Amar Prem(1972). I think romance those days were highly dramatized, far from reality. To cover up the lack of substance the director tried to put more sentiments and emotions in movies. In the seventies, rape scenes were in fact depicted more elaborately. I have no idea why rapes scenes were so common those days. Might be the director simply followed the pattern. Heroine getting raped by goons and hero saves her. Heroine falls in love with the hero, they both sing and dance. The particular pattern dominated Bollywood for a long time. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One thing that I found really funny those days was the depiction of sex in the Bollywood movies. Things were just fine as far as romance was concerned, Bollywood elegantly took care by showing flowers and birds. But there are stories where sex is inevitable. There are stories based on premarital/extramarital sex, and portraying those on screen was a challenge. Hero-heroines those days were ideal, they couldn’t do anything wrong. Particularly our heroines, who were very cultured, always wore traditional cloths, could never indulge in such activities. But there are stories, serious and emotional scripts and presenting the same to the audience was always a challenge. Things turn extremely difficult when Bollywood had to portray love making in the ultimate form, the act that was capable enough to produce babies. Well, illegitimate child was required to give an emotional angle to the story. But then Bollywood wasn’t prepared enough to depict our hero-heroines involving in such illegitimate acts. Now, there came the innovation. There were many tricks that Bollywood adopted to tackle such sensitive situations. I remember one such movie and the concept applied puzzled me for quite sometime.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There’s a classic movie named ‘<i>Aa Gale Lag Jaa</i>’, staring Shashi Kapoor, Sharmila Tagore. On a holiday to Simla, Sharmila Tagore meets Shashi Kapoor, an amateur skater. He immediately starts to tease her, flirt with her. It seems Sharmila Tagore is a medical student. Taking advantage of the situation she and her friends make Shashi Kapoor to volunteer for a medical experiment the next day.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Shashi Kapoor lay on ice, shivering with only one piece towel on his body. A senior doctor is giving a live demonstration, and some pretty looking doctors in their uniform are attentively listening to him. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Today's experiment is about freezing cold vs human body. If the patient is suffering from freezing cold and no medicine is available, then we can apply body head. Take the patient in your arm and transfer your body heat to the patient. This is the ultimate treatment by which patient can be saved without any medicine." the doctor explained.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In their next encounter, Shashi Kapoor and Sharmila Tagore sing and dance together in the Shimla snow. Suddenly she falls, rolls down the mountain and falls into a stream. Shashi Kapoor saves her, and takes her to a nearby place of shelter. Sharmila shivering, freezing, senseless, high fever. Without any medicine Shashi Kapoor seems to be quite helpless. He’s desperate to save her life. But how? He remembers the body heat experiment. He starts to undress her, but without looking at her. He feels very guilty doing the act, but he needs to save her. He only plays the role of a doctor. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Next scene, early morning. Shashi Kapoor says sorry to Sharmila Tagore for whatever happened. She understands the situation, falls in love and they both agree to marry each other. The amazing part is, soon Sharmila Tagore becomes pregnant. I found the concept very innovative. Without any controversy, without getting involved in any kind of sexual activity, the idea successfully able to produce an illegitimate child, which is the central point of the story.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
During our schooldays Bollywood released two moves that changed the idea of romance as far as Bollywood is concerned. First "<i>Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak</i>" was released (1988), followed by "<i>Maine Pyar Kiya</i>" (1989). Both the movies successfully created a pattern in Bollywood that continued for more than a decade. Hero-heroine fall in love, but both the families are enemies to each other. Lovers elope, struggles to make a living, but they are very happy. Even though <i>Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak</i> is a good movie as a whole, but somehow the romance is very dramatized. Well, I’m a big fan of realistic movies, be it romance or in general. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Then came the era of SRK. Movies like "<i>Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge</i>"(1995) and "<i>Kuch Kuch Hota Hai</i>" (1998) again changed the idea of romance. This time it is more of friendship and fun oriented. The art of cinema making had changed over the years along with the changing technology. One good thing is, rape scene in Bollywood movies had drastically reduced in the nineties, and by now it has almost become extinct. The societal mindset has changed now, particularly in the cities. Pre-marital sex is not considered evil these days. Couples openly engage into casual or a live-in relationship. With changing mindset, Bollywood’s depiction of romance has also changed. But right from the seventies till now, one thing remained the same in Bollywood, romantic movies can’t be a blockbuster with good music and dance. Directors still give much importance to songs and dance rather than the content. Depiction of romance still remains unrealistic. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But in recent times there are some out of the box movies in the romance genre which I really liked. One such movie is “<i>Inkaar</i>” (2013). The movie revolves around the corporate world. Somehow I felt the depiction of love was kind of realistic. Then there’s “The Lunchbox”. My goodness, what an outstanding movie. Nice to see Bollywood maturing enough to make such realistic movie in the genre of romance. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, as far as sex is concerned Bollywood matured from the seventies. Even though it cannot reach far enough like Hollywood in the depiction of love making, particularly for General Category movies, but still Bollywood has changed over the years. Kissing scenes have become pretty common, they openly talk about sex and condoms in the movies. Homosexuality is also being talked openly in Bollywood these days. Recently I’ve watched “<i>Aligarh</i>”, totally out of the box movie. It stars Manoj Bajpai and Rajkummar Rao in the lead roles. The movie is based on true events. <i>Aligarh </i>has broken the stereotype by depicting homosexuality so realistically, without being vulgar. One more movie which had broken the stereotype of depicting sex is ‘Vicky Donor’. Even though it’s a commercial movie but it was bold enough. The movie is about a fertility clinic, a sperm bank and a healthy sperm donor. The good thing about the movie is that it has depicted such a sensitive issue which people usually find embarrassing, in such a elegant and artistic way with good sense of humor. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recently the article got published in <i>Uruli </i>2nd edition, in its Perspective section. <i>Uruli </i>is a biannual multilingual magazine published by Assam Association Bangalore. Actually, it is the uncut version, in the magazine some parts got eliminated by the editor.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKHTA3zmxGMcCNprH3zSDzpIKmgprx6wHNKj3jPrJm1kT9DAESjUKUPL31BU2taL5XQCvRLJXcgPMJEF1PaiUGV2Yj-inpO5sxsTCtlgUl5HJx4v3O-7zk5O4rOluGu5UH62mJW3sjlw/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKHTA3zmxGMcCNprH3zSDzpIKmgprx6wHNKj3jPrJm1kT9DAESjUKUPL31BU2taL5XQCvRLJXcgPMJEF1PaiUGV2Yj-inpO5sxsTCtlgUl5HJx4v3O-7zk5O4rOluGu5UH62mJW3sjlw/s320/13.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<i style="text-align: justify;">Grab a copy of my debut book </i><i style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thestoryoftublu/" target="_blank">Story of Tublu</a></b></span></i><i style="text-align: justify;"> from Amazon or Flipkart. It is a Contemporary Fiction novel, published by LiFi Publications Pvt Ltd. The book has its share of drama, that entertains; humor, that makes one reminisce; love, friendship and emotions that defines the amazing journey that is, life.</i></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<i style="text-align: justify;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.in/dp/9382536752/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdWxtiivVObLFtqgY7msv0D1WScjzpoYnZQMZgM8DYfGAhO9SBBnnbRZnB-mD2IcL7Ec8EqFEZ9R3WU1xX0jz2miOaUmy2zIV1reCFSv-1zgt-vZMil6fsWqyDlbKvDNjtnC-gPFQWvE/s1600/buy_from_amazon.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<i style="text-align: justify;"><br /></i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flipkart.com/story-tublu-amazing-journey-called-life-english/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5?pid=9789382536758&affid=flashback" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MMtbh8t3hXGuPqwzJapuJmdYIhjWIlwt3H_mUMwH7ptyzeiECdiznC9x9wY-dOVYrqJUOXtdSCHfD5MpSQa-M4NCeiIjFf2W8liZiYhqxw9mnUFMTQknJvxW_S1r7kNGgaRjbWwGOcs/s1600/buy_btn_flipkart.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
jahidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097607781740943913noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856434568744212755.post-60803263415042105322016-04-24T09:29:00.001-07:002016-04-24T09:46:21.597-07:00Yummy Spicy Quick Oil-Less Chicken Recipe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaOVhvCvLHWgaifSF_0TagNaszkUyudePrW4VNanCYIzC6th0C9VoWJs3tuTvmqnqI4P2U5FnMhiv4Ho2czhfKvVXDQKjSmhYecyOmY6yevE6iTrnTZBSJum3WPCKIl_ezTczdhzEH6o/s1600/10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaOVhvCvLHWgaifSF_0TagNaszkUyudePrW4VNanCYIzC6th0C9VoWJs3tuTvmqnqI4P2U5FnMhiv4Ho2czhfKvVXDQKjSmhYecyOmY6yevE6iTrnTZBSJum3WPCKIl_ezTczdhzEH6o/s320/10.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
More than the age factor it's the finance that influences people to follow healthy diet. There are people in the age group of, say 25-30, who are very cautious of eating healthy food, whereas there are also people above 50 years who are not at all concerned about cholesterol, overweight, and similar stuffs. The only thing they are concerned about food is the taste. Well, they have many other things to worry, and health is the least priority. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Some health conscious people believe that eating meat, that too occasionally, let’s say once a week is not that harmful. It actually depends how we consume the flesh. Deep fried stuffs are obviously not the preferred ones by such community. Actually, too much oil is not considered healthy. People try out many recipes where they use less oil. But it is widely believed that preparing chicken or other meat with less oil can not taste good. Well, I know a style of cooking where we can make yummy chicken without using a single drop of oil. Actually, the approach is perfect for preparing pork, but it’s a delight with chicken as well. Also, the porky affair is kind of controversial, better to stick to chicken.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Chef : Jahid Akhtar</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recipe Servings : 4</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recipe Cook Time : 10-15 minutes<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Ingredients:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1/2 kg chicken</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1 large onion</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2 big potatoes</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2 tomatoes</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Some Garlic</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Few pieces of Ginger</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Chopped green chilies</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Salt to taste</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Chopped coriander for garnish</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupTtbimPJm1EsV3VQkR5QCGTVEOSJetrnpyfizu5Pd_1thsB49Jl2FUK8CMf9t3A7Q9p4KYMZj6PN4wkQp3jbdTj3IwOKHUmUxVnTpsbB4tqMpDv3AtVTvN80oEmvVTWLGI9bstv89Lw/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupTtbimPJm1EsV3VQkR5QCGTVEOSJetrnpyfizu5Pd_1thsB49Jl2FUK8CMf9t3A7Q9p4KYMZj6PN4wkQp3jbdTj3IwOKHUmUxVnTpsbB4tqMpDv3AtVTvN80oEmvVTWLGI9bstv89Lw/s640/8.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Method:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Prepare Ginger-Garlic-Green Chili paste. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Peel the ginger and garlic. Add them to grinder or blender together with the chopped green chilies. Grind it into a paste. When grinding process is almost done add water to it. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXyyK3JP2uqY0gfaPxahk9290yUNqTjJl_16xvlTHJ1tlSAC_K7sqoMsz5LQpx22sNeOo0nO9F6RMvn-UkX1-kmGBYtIPh7EQLwix3f6mS5PEErBZukxvW3Yq91nHiEaI9oh7YZYV-Iw/s1600/9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXyyK3JP2uqY0gfaPxahk9290yUNqTjJl_16xvlTHJ1tlSAC_K7sqoMsz5LQpx22sNeOo0nO9F6RMvn-UkX1-kmGBYtIPh7EQLwix3f6mS5PEErBZukxvW3Yq91nHiEaI9oh7YZYV-Iw/s640/9.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Put few pieces of chicken in a small pressure cooker and let it be there for a couple of minutes in very low heat. The chicken pieces are capable enough to produce some kind of oil by itself. Put the chopped onions and saute it till it turns slightly golden brown. Then put the chopped tomatoes and mix it well. Put the remaining chicken and potato pieces. Lets the stuffs burn in lower heat. Add salt to it, and not other spices. I prefer a small amount of cumin powder though. Mix it well. The recipe would already produce a thick gravy by now. Let it burn for a couple of more minutes in low heat. Once it becomes really dry, put the ginger-garlic-chili paste water in it. Mix it well. Close the pressure cooker lid. After 3 or 4 whistles, turn the gas off. Wait for sometime till the pressure cooker settles by itself. Open the lead and put chopped coriander for garnish. It’s done. Yummy, hot and spicy, oil-less thick chicken gravy is ready to serve. It is just heavenly with rice. Don’t feel embarrassed if you overeat extra amount of rice with this extremely appetizing recipe.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVmsfa9dNg3rEyb5YRTUVN0OK6gYCkYb0tKrNLbiYp-gA-DBcLQVFNOl_wP0cPdsK34iW_zOb5ikzx0_gCDokRZ8Xfy6v4pwcYwDHqcnwSkaqTW1-xB5JcdvudvT2bHrPHf0_4pC1y9k/s1600/10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVmsfa9dNg3rEyb5YRTUVN0OK6gYCkYb0tKrNLbiYp-gA-DBcLQVFNOl_wP0cPdsK34iW_zOb5ikzx0_gCDokRZ8Xfy6v4pwcYwDHqcnwSkaqTW1-xB5JcdvudvT2bHrPHf0_4pC1y9k/s640/10.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i style="text-align: justify;"><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i style="text-align: justify;"><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i style="text-align: justify;"><br /></i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i style="text-align: justify;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<i style="text-align: justify;">Grab a copy of my debut book </i><i style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thestoryoftublu/" target="_blank">Story of Tublu</a></b></span></i><i style="text-align: justify;"> from Amazon or Flipkart. It is a Contemporary Fiction novel, published by LiFi Publications Pvt Ltd. The book has its share of drama, that entertains; humor, that makes one reminisce; love, friendship and emotions that defines the amazing journey that is, life.</i></div>
<div>
<i style="text-align: justify;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.in/dp/9382536752/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIsxu3UMGWOSVQiQO6MFyfbm36sYp9Y20xFHRq7ranpMEknE4d9xAzwfasBLiWaAOJOQVMlOPfjCncP07Qw8Nfz-QrxOcE7Z3dEvgi3sDL36_SzbOGRNeOW-MhssNfKN2HTqV7qeZUTv4/s1600/buy_from_amazon.gif" /></a></div>
<div>
<i style="text-align: justify;"><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i style="text-align: justify;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flipkart.com/story-tublu-amazing-journey-called-life-english/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5?pid=9789382536758&affid=flashback" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOD2zd-EWYD_UkyJVruQ16R4-p00xG8BOWuou1NOaMh3AvWFMnbjX2EJm5pgsyqXOzHvqsUnz6MHUZs4-otpRiylnQwD5PFygNrqL_-Kb6hP3uIe_sbgpBpP2OV1QMP1FW6EnzthqKMs/s1600/buy_btn_flipkart.png" /></a></div>
<div>
<i style="text-align: justify;"><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i style="text-align: justify;"><br /></i></div>
</div>
jahidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097607781740943913noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856434568744212755.post-6876783712848963992016-03-26T14:19:00.000-07:002016-03-26T14:19:38.367-07:00Revisiting Those Childhood Sundays<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3WDEfMohqi4RPPB9Bbw5MkW5jQkS_w4FI8gsUOsGsSnHixSDRcAbA51kX5v_2fo7WcPouGGUtEB3L8w1EGqWvlfjFunPXcRWfpPwB8u3t_EX28hnivrBuTc8YoSd4wpBXQdkxulziMw/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3WDEfMohqi4RPPB9Bbw5MkW5jQkS_w4FI8gsUOsGsSnHixSDRcAbA51kX5v_2fo7WcPouGGUtEB3L8w1EGqWvlfjFunPXcRWfpPwB8u3t_EX28hnivrBuTc8YoSd4wpBXQdkxulziMw/s320/6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Unlike these days, Sundays in the early Nineties were kind of different. It was fun day for us, we played lot of cricket at the nearby playground. Sundays were comparatively relaxing for my mother. The other days must had been tough for her as far as mornings were concerned, breakfast, lunch boxes for three kids and also for my father. On Sundays it was my father who used to wake up first in the house. He never missed Rangoli, an Indian music television series aired on DD National every Sunday morning. The Bollywood songs played during Rangoli those days had a typical pattern. It usually started with a classic song from a Black & White movie. My father was crazy for such songs and sometimes even loved to repeat the words after the singer, usually when there’s no one around. Every Rangoli episode included couple of Kishore Kumar melodies, and the program usually ended with a latest Bollywood super hit song. Well, I always tried not to miss the last one.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After Rangoli we had a few minutes of privacy for breakfast. Soon, our TV room started to get filled one by one, mostly by strangers and some known faces. This was the kind of situation which people who grew up in the early Nineties in small towns might have experienced. TV was still considered a luxury those days. Those were Pre Cable TV days and Doordarshan (DD) dominated the way people were entertained. Everyone just eagerly waited to watch Mahabharat which was aired in the Sunday morning time slot. Mahabharat is considered to be one of the longest work of its kind in the world. The epic contain about 110,000 couplets in eighteen sections. There is also a 19th section named Harivamsha. The Bhagavadgita, a dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna, is a part of the Mahabharata. It’s a very interesting mythological story with lot of action and thrill. Each episode ran for approximately 45 minutes and began with a title song that consisted of lyrical content and two verses from the Bhagavad Gita. The title song was sung by singer Mahendra Kapoor. The title song was followed by a narration by Indian voice artist Harish Bhimani of a personification of Time, detailing the current circumstances and highlighting the spiritual significance of the content of the episode.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As soon as Mahabharat ended we rushed to the playground. Within minutes everyone would be on the ground. We played cricket for the next three to four hours, and then returned home. After bath we used to enjoy the Sunday special sumptuous meal, and immediately after lunch I would enter the TV room. I could remember few glimpses of the 'News for Hearing Impaired' on TV. Immediately after the News they would telecast a regional movie with English subtitles. I remember watching regional movies, particularly Assamese, Bengali, Oriya, Punjabi on Sunday afternoons. Some of those were award-winning movies. But after watching for an hour we again used to go to the playground and played cricket for another couple of hours.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When we returned home in the early hours of evening we would watch the last part of ‘The World of Sport’. It was a sports program that was aired every Sunday afternoon anchored by the legends like Anupam Gulati and Dr Narottam Puri. I had very little time to get fresh, followed by evening snacks. I had to finish my food in a hurry as I could hear the title song of ‘Vikram Aur Betaal’. It was the serial I never missed. The series contained stories from Indian mythology which were presented in an entertaining way. The concept of the program was based on Baital Pachisi, a collection of tales about the legendary King Vikramāditya and the Vaitaala, a ghost.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5UKYD3aJA7XEAJzqgszKmPRgOt8RQYRjMcmau0Tnm_QKyyw5Z6RINQ1UIcpf0xAeUpyUkJsrOwmvf1nDM2lnm7XP99LSrfxGvyU2Lwtlz69UsPUW-7QotYKWx7447y9zunE98rDEh0Y/s1600/7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5UKYD3aJA7XEAJzqgszKmPRgOt8RQYRjMcmau0Tnm_QKyyw5Z6RINQ1UIcpf0xAeUpyUkJsrOwmvf1nDM2lnm7XP99LSrfxGvyU2Lwtlz69UsPUW-7QotYKWx7447y9zunE98rDEh0Y/s1600/7.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After ‘Vikram Aur Betaal’, just like morning once again our TV room got occupied by strangers and known faces. Everyone just waited for the Sunday evening movie. DD used to broadcast only one movie per week. Usually they used to telecast old movies but on some occasions they showed recent ones as well. Sunday evenings were like festival, celebration time, and friends and neighbors used to participate together. But as far as I remember there were very few Sunday movies which we watched from start to end. Every time the power would go off and we all went out for a gossip session. As soon as the power came back everyone rushed to the TV room once again. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Grab a copy of my debut book </i><i><span style="color: blue;"><b>Story of Tublu</b></span></i><i> from Amazon or Flipkart. It is a Contemporary Fiction novel, published by LiFi Publications Pvt Ltd. The book has its share of drama, that entertains; humor, that makes one reminisce; love, friendship and emotions that defines the amazing journey that is, life.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.in/dp/9382536752/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UnyrA1idJTsABRQKdaOOeDPYMhMx8IafVH6hTtC8tW59OfXTwAcof4bqAL5BzG08IKLNSgn4EJ6oxFxJ4DXWo6uDVwcUCSKLmxgfdeV0wm97GHQbK-SWiMFd42r0WP2H3m4kdX9-uMo/s1600/buy_from_amazon.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flipkart.com/story-tublu-amazing-journey-called-life-english/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQ0kYsTebLaI7RHvabvRukMEQqDR3_oSsOdcUtdhxqd3i2nz4-iNskF1cymVJxz_NWIISP1D29D2d7bBolt3VbpBbEdsH-GuITxTtGt41T0cbfv1_t9AEk_7MFWV08rN4oLHmWjIRhX8/s1600/buy_btn_flipkart.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
</div>
jahidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097607781740943913noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856434568744212755.post-64007543466254526842016-02-29T09:33:00.000-08:002016-02-29T10:39:19.508-08:00What an Amazing Click<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MQ5RB1iFddS8mTVzXvBBQVYau65qaJwKY3KG4WlM6uGrinLasIlBk3eIotbIk_i6wGGKDJ64vkHPdLUss7mHQReOdR0Zsh5_XvHgNZQn71Cs9dkUWSxZnh1uPuxPuh0T2mfXo0oHbvc/s1600/india.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MQ5RB1iFddS8mTVzXvBBQVYau65qaJwKY3KG4WlM6uGrinLasIlBk3eIotbIk_i6wGGKDJ64vkHPdLUss7mHQReOdR0Zsh5_XvHgNZQn71Cs9dkUWSxZnh1uPuxPuh0T2mfXo0oHbvc/s320/india.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I was born in Bongaigaon, grew up and lived my entire childhood there. Bongaigaon is situated at a distance of 200 km west from Guwahati. It is an important place as the New Bongaigaon railway station is a major junction connecting the north east with the rest of India. The town is also well known for the Bongaigaon Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited(BRPL), which is the eighth largest refinery of Indian Oil. Like rest of Assam Bongaigaon aso, particularly the town suburbs is refreshingly green, surrounded by hills, rivers and streams. The town is also blessed with beautiful tea gardens at the outskirts. Our neighboring country Bhutan is pretty close to Bongaigaon. Every day, plenty of local buses run from Bongaigaon to Gelephu, a town in Bhutan. The places in and around Gekephu are very exotic and are favorite picnic destinations. It's also famous for oranges, and there are orange plantations all over. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Few days back, when I came across the below photograph I was totally amazed. Such an incredible location, such an amazing click. The picture is taken by <span style="color: blue;"><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/joy.chakrabarty.1?fref=ts" target="_blank">Joy Deep</a></i></span> at Oudubi village of Bongaigaon district. Joy had to climb a tall tree to capture the outstanding view at a spot where river Champa meets the mighty Brahmaputra.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=938673299483925&set=a.213048642046398.60389.100000237926699&type=3&theater" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-emMcD-6f7caBZHy3HsLXNk1Ts-nS9gNXEBwERiFPcFYbRAfdS8ccbSpDPg3tClQh34bfxpKdjkqpRessq2D-rkdWmj_IdqwEASFyTqFulsR0GpwBaFEXxCt4cH5tRr5BW9XobXcmzM/s640/india.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Grab a copy of my debut book </i><i><span style="color: blue;"><b>Story of Tublu</b></span></i><i> from Amazon or Flipkart. It is a Contemporary Fiction novel, published by LiFi Publications Pvt Ltd. The book has its share of drama, that entertains; humor, that makes one reminisce; love, friendship and emotions that defines the amazing journey that is, life.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.in/dp/9382536752/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlTt9UVRTIjDAWsBVoXr5pbgrETvSOWYsvTQ7L4gX2vW0yWYX6QVSnZ675J4Fh9fgeV9Tqd5ByNeQ3RedVBnw_g_ptaX2EZIGZ2_nvmxYL-BErMEoTzGrL3X7__C38aH5HL3Ll2irwjw/s1600/buy_from_amazon.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flipkart.com/story-tublu-amazing-journey-called-life-english/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-d1ssRW7ZyF916XRAH3_cil54sQmOolaugDKuNRYBShkGKFOCQJnmRzi2h3Nsof1FFsr9G-oPJhgRe0AeDSrXVkpu7iYqABoApWrRb6LRIRhdt-auS60fyEo6PlTgfm_Cq7xo677a3bI/s1600/buy_btn_flipkart.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
</div>
jahidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097607781740943913noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856434568744212755.post-31329565980456528062016-01-24T07:00:00.002-08:002016-01-24T07:45:06.005-08:00Cofie Me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zs18Vusl7oaVonMjvMDpJGV7yCjTymHyv4xVRt5jH1QE-kskbijQVeQvq8AcSPZ6FivHX1ltOwOqj2WPGPPqUyuaHDRGy5kqjAUP22guRpgkATxjNMUNfqR3GoJOPSSNfkPZxvSJoQo/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zs18Vusl7oaVonMjvMDpJGV7yCjTymHyv4xVRt5jH1QE-kskbijQVeQvq8AcSPZ6FivHX1ltOwOqj2WPGPPqUyuaHDRGy5kqjAUP22guRpgkATxjNMUNfqR3GoJOPSSNfkPZxvSJoQo/s320/4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
Over the last few years the world has gone crazy both with the perception as well as implementing the ‘Selfie’ idea. Based on the tremendous popularity it had won, Oxford Dictionary declared ‘selfie’ their word of the year for 2013. Their definition of selfie is, 'A photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and shared via social media.’ So, social media plays a major role here. Even if someone clicks his/her own picture many times, they aren't officially selfie until and unless they are posted in social media. The term is a bit confusing though, as selfie is not just a photograph that one has taken of oneself. The term is used collectively as well, like ‘group selfie with colleagues/friends, selfie with daughter, or selfie with parents.’ So, the scope of selfie is actually much broader, any kind of photograph where the culprit who dared to click the camera is also featured in it.</div>
<div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
Apart from the usual ways of taking selfies, with smiling face covering well known monuments/buildings or institutes or with amazing Mother Nature, these days people also come up with many dare-devil, innovative and out-of-the-box ideas and take breath-taking selfies with wild animals, at higher altitudes or at challenging geographical locations. Together with the growing popularity of the selfie culture, many are also not very comfortable with it. As an example, The American Psychiatric Association has officially confirmed taking 'selfies' is a mental disorder. But that’s okay, such theories shouldn’t dishearten the regular Selfie-Folks. After all, aren’t everyone a little bit psycho in his or her own way?</div>
<div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br />
<i>" So, your Mamma received the beautiful gift you sent on her 60th Birthday. She looks real pretty in her new dress. You want to take a selfie with her, but she is thousand mils away. </i></div>
<div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i>
<i>You missed your best friend’s wedding. The couple looking beautiful in their wedding costumes. You simply wish to be there to feel the moment, take a selfie with the wonderful couple. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Your childhood buddies are having fun in Bangkok. They are taking group pictures and uploading frequently on social media. Oh! Dear, you must be wondering how lovely it would be if you are also with your friends, taking selfies together. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>So, you are a big fan of Katrina Kaif, you are already added in her fan list. How about taking a selfie with her? "</i></div>
<div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
Well, it's no longer a dream. Such imaginations have actually turned into reality. Now, no distance, no barrier, no boundary, literally nothing can stop you from clicking selfies with your near and dear ones, with your favorite celebrities, with your fans. Actually it's not selfie, it is <i><a href="http://www.cofie.me/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Cofie</span></a></i>. Confused?<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
Recently, I came across this interesting App, it’s called Cofie. This App this is going to give a completely new dimension to the selfie thing, and will take it to the next level. You can take selfies with anyone, anywhere in the world.</div>
<div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>Website</b> : <a href="http://www.cofie.me/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><i>www.cofie.me</i></span></a></div>
<div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>Playstore</b> : <i><a href="https://goo.gl/knL9ic" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">https://goo.gl/knL9ic</span></a></i></div>
<div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>FB</b> : <span style="color: blue;"><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CofieMe" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/CofieMe</a></i></span></div>
<div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>Twitter</b> : <span style="color: blue;"><i><a href="https://twitter.com/cofie_me" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/cofie_me</a></i></span></div>
<div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
Recently I took a cofie with my dear old friend Ravi Pratap Singh. He is one of the initial core Cofie team members.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBK-yKA-7wQR8L1m5KV7X2xUqffOhbDXSH6RluXb43DIys20Eeld8wxRprqsCUw-JDATQGMYkOMVlHrDpzPp3iEWThqebNc7wU7NuOKkejwYsKN0dYf1VADCtclYEJiUpVfReZFXmIwJc/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBK-yKA-7wQR8L1m5KV7X2xUqffOhbDXSH6RluXb43DIys20Eeld8wxRprqsCUw-JDATQGMYkOMVlHrDpzPp3iEWThqebNc7wU7NuOKkejwYsKN0dYf1VADCtclYEJiUpVfReZFXmIwJc/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p0" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Grab a copy of my debut book </i><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thestoryoftublu/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Story of Tublu</span></a></i><i> from Amazon or Flipkart. It is a Contemporary Fiction novel, published by LiFi Publications Pvt Ltd. The book has its share of drama, that entertains; humor, that makes one reminisce; love, friendship and emotions that defines the amazing journey that is, life.</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.in/dp/9382536752/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqL2oh_WRYJv34Wxa7dAfZaWpUUML1f-o1oDr7p5Dwjuz-Y1RQMOHvKLNyQ_Wh7LOY9GvmGmZGUrfoQhK0nBYHpdPEhwje5EkGIiswvNqVWq3cIAzvllfCBBQn2iXrUwOjUuVqdGO6ec/s1600/buy_from_amazon.gif" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flipkart.com/story-tublu-amazing-journey-called-life-english/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kjlc3IFr9GIO-WvTvbi9OIfQDurJxkPCohFnd8Q0oyFONts0OMHpC9VYHQC_YucHnwUggVOiAdmVXU-c3T80qq8Zg82uxxo1HAHmXH2db8mQWLhSioz9gFYOheZsMgEQRfgv0oOmEXM/s1600/buy_btn_flipkart.png" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i></div>
</div>
jahidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097607781740943913noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856434568744212755.post-5971190493712580442016-01-10T08:47:00.000-08:002016-01-10T08:47:52.730-08:00The Hindu - Pursuit of Happiness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXA8fe4lDrLzfKskJ4iK3Z86UwozR5k-o4lbzq1uRw-yn3L0RUstpPzH6u84fAJFwgRh1bJAgsrZqyxvl2ERKuiAWC2rc9Tbuc8Bi543xhGkypu_32Wq-qkw4mITCSoAZ803ov8TVSb4Y/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXA8fe4lDrLzfKskJ4iK3Z86UwozR5k-o4lbzq1uRw-yn3L0RUstpPzH6u84fAJFwgRh1bJAgsrZqyxvl2ERKuiAWC2rc9Tbuc8Bi543xhGkypu_32Wq-qkw4mITCSoAZ803ov8TVSb4Y/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Chris Gardner makes a living by selling some kind of medical scanner machine to doctors. The going it tough, somehow Chris manages the rent and groceries. He also has a kid to take care of. The kid child is simply amazing. The bonding among father and son is wonderfully presented in the movie. Gradually things get difficult, they struggle for survival. Later Chris joins a six months internship program without pay, in an investment firm. Initially he's in a double mind, to join or not to join? Chris was good with Maths in his schooldays. He likes solving the Rubik's cube, and gains a mastery in it. He attends his first day of internship in a very casual manner, without wearing a proper shirt. Day by day he stats working hard.</div>
<br />
On the last day of his internship Chris is called into the same room he had his interview in. He faces the same guys he did then, when he was in his homely clothing covered in paint. Someone asks why he dressed so properly and formal, today?<br />
<br />
Chris smiles and says "I decided to wear a shirt today since it's the last day and all."<br />
<br />
One of the guys smiles at him and tells to wear a shirt tomorrow to, since they would love to see him like that on the first day of his job.<br />
<br />
I've watched "The Pursuit of Happiness" many times, such an inspiring movie. On the last day thing, my thinking is pretty similar like Chris, typical "All's Well That Ends Well" kind of mindset. 31st Dec 2015, being the last day of the year I wanted it to be perfect. I went to office in time, everyone seemed to be in party mood. Also, the last day was something special. The Hindu Newspaper, New Delhi edition, published about my debut fiction novel 'Story of Tublu'.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6GfJdlTg1KOluj9kD1A6KeX5SGj_XD9d_l_zgGhKSBo814rUrRJuP61G5SL11rz81Un1B1Az1uvvBKqWUZk33LX0FwgkKn-uNVBI_Ff4C7fUPlO8rLyIfjiuq1Vg0-oXO06LhOvKOis/s1600/the+Hindu1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6GfJdlTg1KOluj9kD1A6KeX5SGj_XD9d_l_zgGhKSBo814rUrRJuP61G5SL11rz81Un1B1Az1uvvBKqWUZk33LX0FwgkKn-uNVBI_Ff4C7fUPlO8rLyIfjiuq1Vg0-oXO06LhOvKOis/s320/the+Hindu1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i>Grab a copy of my debut book Story of Tublu from Amazon or Flipkart.
It is a Contemporary Fiction novel, published by LiFi Publications Pvt
Ltd. The book has its share of drama, that entertains; humor, that makes
one reminisce; love, friendship and emotions that defines the amazing
journey that is, life.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.in/dp/9382536752/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.amazon.in/dp/9382536752/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdK7nLgsbSvuPxyuNhCfLVYnuKoqVENE-K4xAha9iTsIlENoNHOPRDuad4a9PW-FbpM2qZcNYH523lKeafF3Ht8m0Uv3BJVJUIvtikYWNnxL2EvD_d2LfXNQrbsEf0kzzNnTfVlyC9Bg0/s1600/buy_from_amazon.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><i></i></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flipkart.com/story-tublu-amazing-journey-called-life-english/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5" target="_blank"><i style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span id="goog_98195496"></span><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-VWCN1SV1A60XPVHrGBElHpnF3hlwFfu5Bd5qPQG4LYsK7ex6e_KS4zSiSzHispzdVA0F6gId-xzrkIij3EAc_-3XkLNuKYIckbZeak-2ZRXtcIUL4IqgCUwt_vJJjHPFa-QeC-Ci20/s1600/buy_btn_flipkart.png" /></i></a><i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_98195497"></span></a></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
jahidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097607781740943913noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856434568744212755.post-66598493447212521882016-01-01T12:25:00.001-08:002016-01-02T23:14:44.667-08:00The Arrival<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xFEs4prFTrDFB4rGaR9gepzJ9-U9kZyXoTnlripFfwZ8ohDPFWLk-Zzjl1xsln-O2QTAQB_nNB8zc91Pm_xLzNLKvS15RidEqU5x9fzuzKzQBewOopV7R4zTk_wNkLRfC6H_AngB3l4/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xFEs4prFTrDFB4rGaR9gepzJ9-U9kZyXoTnlripFfwZ8ohDPFWLk-Zzjl1xsln-O2QTAQB_nNB8zc91Pm_xLzNLKvS15RidEqU5x9fzuzKzQBewOopV7R4zTk_wNkLRfC6H_AngB3l4/s320/1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Recently our little princess, Jia turned four. I frequently write about her on Facebook, usually some funny incidents. I love to post her pictures. It's simply amazing getting older with her. Last night I created a little space of her on this blog. Now, I will also be posting about her here as well. You can read more by clicking the link 'Jia' at the top. I think once Jia grows up she would love to read about her in the internet.</i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
The night of 11 December 2011 was different. After dinner my wife Anjali did a little bit of packing. I felt like we were going for some outing. I also had a week off starting from the next day. Anjali and my mother were standing outside the main door. I was just going around the house, double checked the lights/fans/windows and also the taps, ensuring that they are off and not running. I then locked the door and we walked down the stairs together. We got into the car. I turned the key in the ignition and drove off.<br />
<br />
Soon we arrived at a familiar place. It was the Apollo Hospital. Anjali used to work there for the last couple of years. I also had been visiting the place for the last several months. Anjali knew almost every employee out there, the doctors, nurses, admin and the operation guys. We went to a room which was booked for us. One senior lady doctor visited us. She had a charming smile on her face. She told us that they would take Anjali inside the operation theater at 2 in the night. It seemed the doctors were going to inject her some medicines to induce pain, as according to them the expected due date has already passed three days. The pain inducing thought gave me goose bumps of fear. In the meanwhile Anjali took me to their security department. She arranged for an employee parking sticker. <br />
<br />
Once they took Anjali inside, it was full tension for the next 6-7 hours. And then in the morning the doctor called me in. They said I can watch it live. It was frightening to see blood and all. But it was also wonderful at the same time to witness our little angel, experience her entrance into the world, live. A little later, the doctor asked me to hold her. She was so tiny and beautiful. I was speechless. I was simply looking at her. Such happiness cannot be expressed in words. I then looked at my wife. She seemed to be fine, happy and smiling.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i> Wish You All a Very Happy and Prosperous New Year!!</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Grab a copy of my debut book Story of Tublu from Amazon or Flipkart. It is a Contemporary Fiction novel, published by LiFi Publications Pvt Ltd. The book has its share of drama, that entertains; humor, that makes one reminisce; love, friendship and emotions that defines the amazing journey that is, life.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.in/dp/9382536752/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.amazon.in/dp/9382536752/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbXW5QUK3q5bpTvb_mzAA_f-fIHcwcLD83eP2ej1t1cqDzrsRaOJWZrf0YpZVOAdsITqXmv4Jr6uQqyNH5DK3S4WfFVXiI6sRfzSpTYhGul1f4X3MzXcQbI1prtc-RJ0yQBKKYCyuO5M/s1600/buy_from_amazon.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i> </i><a href="http://www.flipkart.com/story-tublu-amazing-journey-called-life-english/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.flipkart.com/story-tublu-amazing-journey-called-life-english/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8YKWMdHp0SV_C0vHwbLHlNiT-F-GVQKgzvVKGyNfNI1zzaCxHqrN6XHSMggT1yMoJuSGpbrwAhyphenhyphenU2UsBFptUZMDW1KshpSpc786JKxtr2FBBBvimbl-gp-spHdtkPr16sgLRH_tBmg14/s1600/buy_btn_flipkart.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
</div>
jahidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097607781740943913noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856434568744212755.post-63327707398323595762015-12-24T10:41:00.001-08:002015-12-24T10:42:30.374-08:00I Wish You a Merry Christmas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18_vsuq7ToacZcuh8-A9kT_VZvZHqjE4b_Zty5qkTssySFLq1ussnNpaWx-xlL4fvz3rqHU6xEtPlMxhNt0lAnCMLu9uui-kW88tdkEcqiIKpFgogRmUUR4RcYluDDYTguEjVlRa7Xsc/s1600/MerryChristmasGreetingCard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18_vsuq7ToacZcuh8-A9kT_VZvZHqjE4b_Zty5qkTssySFLq1ussnNpaWx-xlL4fvz3rqHU6xEtPlMxhNt0lAnCMLu9uui-kW88tdkEcqiIKpFgogRmUUR4RcYluDDYTguEjVlRa7Xsc/s320/MerryChristmasGreetingCard.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I was into my first job. I joined as fresher in a software company. I was in a project with Latin American client, an international Bank. I regularly used to interact with David, a Latino guy, mostly through emails and sometimes on call. Christmas was about to come, and I wished him "Happy Christmas" in a trailing mail, where my manager was also marked. My manager was not happy with something, and took me to a conference room. He lectured me about wishing Christmas in private for almost 10 to 15 minutes. He told me not to wish "Happy Christmas" to clients, instead say "Merry Christmas". I always get confused with Happy and Merry. That moment I was quite depressed, David was a nice friendly man, I thought I simply upset him by wishing wrongly.<br />
<br />
Later that day, I received a Thank You reply from David. It was not simply a thank you mail, but a little more. Then we had a few email conversation, one-to-one. I wrote to him that I should've wished "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Christmas". He wrote a long and friendly reply on this, which only meant that Christmas is celebration time, party time. One can wish "Happy Christmas", "Merry Christmas" or whatever, but everyone should celebrate together, party together and be happy.<br />
<br />
Wish you all a Merry Christmas!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Grab a copy of my debut book Story of Tublu from Amazon or Flipkart. It is a Contemporary Fiction novel, published by LiFi Publications Pvt Ltd. The book has its share of drama, that entertains; humor, that makes one reminisce; love, friendship and emotions that defines the amazing journey that is, life.</i><br />
<i></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.amazon.in/dp/9382536752/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.amazon.in/dp/9382536752/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9IJ_fCJ4ecUlKl1aCNAIBobKBVEQ0tVAydWSyWpulVouca3qylGzmXt8jVzDJVjquumpS7QqWCOGl_n4hxG4RJ-j2txuqYG2pCwHRa_jxGLl1vLdwARMsd8OC78mhu2Za3EuTO3JaRY/s1600/buy_from_amazon.gif" /></a></i></div>
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flipkart.com/story-tublu-amazing-journey-called-life-english/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.flipkart.com/story-tublu-amazing-journey-called-life-english/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSBQw8CjLf6G8naEtfgfqFAbLHSEGYrU4PrWi_bkPF__XiQc-7l4df8k2Dgu94fjw2I9IqH-CeqoGB4lIb0YoF5QdiV0AAZIgi26FNoMvCJnFt3Scq8DTiqzUwAYuxWRXgaNpUps5tbs/s1600/buy_btn_flipkart.png" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
jahidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097607781740943913noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856434568744212755.post-72882509503673927212015-11-21T08:50:00.002-08:002015-11-21T09:08:21.294-08:00A Memorable Mutton Briyani<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7pkJ3x5SNhxAIvQwnO4_kf9pzfsFlnHtsBSNl7rG-h6DNPpusMACvxkDd-AEhOBdse2hlMdHZMEAkT65DDuv8lD5USlC5pB4AwR9H4N9UJMgbj3FjCIa11gG008Mg-NwfX-E4mdE5yA/s1600/mutton_briyani.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7pkJ3x5SNhxAIvQwnO4_kf9pzfsFlnHtsBSNl7rG-h6DNPpusMACvxkDd-AEhOBdse2hlMdHZMEAkT65DDuv8lD5USlC5pB4AwR9H4N9UJMgbj3FjCIa11gG008Mg-NwfX-E4mdE5yA/s400/mutton_briyani.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Biryani is a mixed rice dish usually prepared with intense and aromatic spices, rice and meat. It is a rather complex dish, not only because Briyani is little complicated to prepare, but also for the fact that many claim their briyani as the original one. Also, there is no specific recipe for it - the dish changes from place to place, people to people. In India, briyani is not just a dish, it’s a tradition, kind of a cultural expression. Historians believe that the dish could have come to India all the way from Persia via Afghanistan. Briyani is also quite popular among the vegetarians, the preparation is more or less the same, just instead of meat they mix vegetables. <br />
<br />
After living in Bangalore for more than a decade, I can easily claim it is the land of briyani. Bangalore is a cosmopolitan city, and one can find people from each and every part of India, that too in huge numbers. Briyani has gone deep into the food culture of Bangaloreans. The situation is similar to 'Momo in Guwahati’. There’s just momos’ and monos’ everywhere in Guwahati. There, one can’t run a restaurant without serving momo. Momo is just so deep into the food culture of the people of Guwahati, particularly youngsters, college-goers. Biryani is to Bangalore what Momo is to Guwahati. One can find almost any kind of briyani in Bangalore. Apart from the usual Chicken, Mutton, Egg and Veg briyani, one can also find varieties of Fish and Prawn briyani as well. They serve briyani in almost every restaurant in Bangalore, be it big, small or roadside restaurants. Briyani in any form is an absolute delight. Every briyani is heavy on flavor, the moment we put a spoonful inside, it fills our mouth with rice aroma. <br />
<br />
Along with the tongue people also have emotional attachments towards the briyani of their origin. Some of the most popular briyani as far as Bangalore is concerned are recipes of Lucknow, kolkata, Kerala; but nothing can compete with the Hyderabadi briyani. It is a brand. Hyderabadi briyani also comes in different flavors - Hyderabadi Dum briyani, Boneless briyani, Chicken fried briyani and many more similar stuffs. <br />
<br />
Okay, enough of briyani gyan, I think now I should shift gear towards one of our memorable Mutton briyani. The incident happened about seven or eight years ago. During those carefree days, on one weekend I and Anjali went out in the evening. After little bit of shopping we thought of having dinner outside. We were at Koramangala, one of the most happening place in Bangalore. We knew about a very famous briyani restaurant there, but were confused to locate it. I called one of my friends and got to know we were pretty close to the restaurant. But my friend suggested us to avoid the place, as on weekends it’s usually overcrowded. <br />
<br />
Despite the warning we visited the restaurant. We found that the place was not just overcrowded, it was chaos. I asked the manager how much time it would take. He replied that it would take about an hour. Looking at the crowd I felt the manager was quite generous in his response. The aroma of briyani was heavy in the air. It seemed Mutton briyani was a specialty over there. We decided better we order a takeaway rather than waiting. Even the takeaway took quite a time. The moment someone handed over our parcel I was more than delighted. The polythene bag was heavy, we had ordered two plates of Mutton briyani.<br />
<br />
We took an auto back home. It was 10 in the night. The weekend rush was bad. I was holding the briyani bag, the wait was getting desperate. We reached home. I put on relaxing, homely clothing. Switched on the TV. Anjali brought the plates and spoons from the kitchen. Happiness around, we were all set to relish the tempting Mutton briyani. I cut open a packet, put some on a plate. The pleasant smell of briyani instantly rose to my face. I dipped into the packet with two fingers, searching for Mutton pieces. I found one and took it out. But I was puzzled to find it to be a big piece of potato. I took the whole briyani out. No Mutton pieces, only giant potatoes. <br />
<br />
I wondered they’ve wrongly given Kolkata briyani. Well, one unique thing about Kolkata briyani is that they also mix potatoes, big pieces, along with the meat. But in our case there were only potatoes, no meat. My heartbeats started to accelerate. And then I thought, they might have kept all the Mutton pieces in the other packet, together. I immediately opened the other one, only to find potatoes and potatoes, no meat at all. I and Anjali stared each other in discomfort. I thought to search for the restaurant number and call them. But that would have been stupid, I guess. Without much of an option we both ate the briyani with heavy heart. It was delicious, but we missed to bite some flesh, missed to chew on the mutton bones that night.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<i><b>Grab a copy of my debut book Story of Tublu from Amazon or Flipkart. It is a Contemporary Fiction novel, published by LiFi Publications Pvt Ltd. The book has its share of drama, that entertains; humor, that makes one reminisce; love, friendship and emotions that defines the amazing journey that is, life.</b></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.in/dp/9382536752/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.amazon.in/dp/9382536752/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vk5MPMa5T3O0yXxVML6btAElxbv6P8U7I3ENdwDnvyK1tx6fBiDDyTb7f3VI38l2OSTVqtCWwLb1dAlVNRlmvnsZULnW-0bTQc8kxvxaZFG7I1ETRgYKAe6HKotlIWKfZ1pIo2vRf7A/s1600/buy_from_amazon.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flipkart.com/story-tublu-amazing-journey-called-life-english/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.flipkart.com/story-tublu-amazing-journey-called-life-english/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOZOYRtydAajRJ76OVdez8hyphenhyphenZlDgzfQEgGRRk-osoFQ-Q_S7HhEaRwpDt7GfC38V0Z2mvhq50BmbBDM2Kr250lCbJNQehepGzSB_9I4VxWTwDojHKB3N7Tua09KHTyNfiQbw4jqt3qxo/s1600/buy_btn_flipkart.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
</div>
jahidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097607781740943913noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856434568744212755.post-79311759838304824482015-11-07T14:21:00.001-08:002016-01-10T08:11:49.346-08:00A Little Moment of Pride<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZv2KYXn0Vh5jS1hv1YGKhy13K9_Zc7HvfRmQhUN8-FpmhujwwSsvgBsQ20yZQX0flok2vnvikfkiaMX1Du3T2i4u8M3-M5B2ErE_TTH6UKkawLNgQ6fQIztSoncZdt2Bn5yzOFHStdw/s1600/tublu_cover1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZv2KYXn0Vh5jS1hv1YGKhy13K9_Zc7HvfRmQhUN8-FpmhujwwSsvgBsQ20yZQX0flok2vnvikfkiaMX1Du3T2i4u8M3-M5B2ErE_TTH6UKkawLNgQ6fQIztSoncZdt2Bn5yzOFHStdw/s320/tublu_cover1.png" width="229" /></a></div>
<br />
The Assam Tribune is one of the oldest and most reputed English daily Newspaper from Assam, India. It was founded in 4th of August 1939. First published from Guwahati, it is now published simultaneously from Guwahati and Dibrugarh. It has a huge readership in Assam and is the highest circulated English daily in the entire North-East India. I grew up reading the Assam Tribune, right from childhood - schooldays - college. I could recollect the fine morning, I checked my Engineering entrance examination results in the same Newspaper. I was pretty relieved. I've left Assam almost a decade ago to earn my bread. Like many other things back home, I also miss the Tribune, the smell of its print, refreshing. I do read it online though. <br />
<br />
Today, when I read the book review of my debut book "Story of Tublu" published is The Assam Tribune, I was overjoyed and thrilled. I felt content, a little moment of pride. <br />
<br />
You can read the review <a href="http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/showpage.asp?id=nov0715%2C15%2C981%2C153%2C438%2C1554" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b><i>here</i></b></span></a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVp2nEKWRJUTPKaaSPBKFJIgJQMkgeurFe8hOU01m2mGaSXIQGBmrsC_hKjmgZ06NeNL2Cf-F4ae1Wv0uqcVfkB_PbwEK99Z1nGAzq_YWW3A3Wfqzf964FDHYT8MJJD7Sa6w4dECkEug0/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVp2nEKWRJUTPKaaSPBKFJIgJQMkgeurFe8hOU01m2mGaSXIQGBmrsC_hKjmgZ06NeNL2Cf-F4ae1Wv0uqcVfkB_PbwEK99Z1nGAzq_YWW3A3Wfqzf964FDHYT8MJJD7Sa6w4dECkEug0/s320/2.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><i><b>Grab a copy of my debut book Story of Tublu from Amazon or
Flipkart. It is a Contemporary Fiction novel, published by LiFi
Publications Pvt Ltd. The book has its share of drama, that entertains;
humor, that makes one reminisce; love, friendship and emotions that
defines the amazing journey that is, life. </b></i></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.in/dp/9382536752/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.amazon.in/dp/9382536752/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlwDJjZYgWeBnfaa57elV0YeKOYtdBApiHav4gS1fnQdLJiNmtFykS_ec7eTI4w4yYjvC3pAmFaZXT9UdoQEck6-W58QSIFvFGsXZM7mHI4ue7PBaqHs1xdwAmb3Kzhhyfryhyphenhyphen0KRvcE/s1600/buy_from_amazon.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flipkart.com/story-tublu-amazing-journey-called-life-english/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.flipkart.com/story-tublu-amazing-journey-called-life-english/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrdUxYIsDO6C6Mr-aDaxtc_4hEJ-7nL4qKGc_Vcl07mfTn4CTSnR23SjWmyrx-cRePrqy855X9G9RL9pmuM1qHP7n7ge9Cx_g281anrUEJTmjcDXDWE07FHzHnhmWdPrrGX2reWUjrgo/s1600/buy_btn_flipkart.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><i><b> </b></i></i> </div>
<br /></div>
jahidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097607781740943913noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-856434568744212755.post-83615225462856481952015-10-16T12:26:00.001-07:002015-10-17T00:21:23.355-07:00Durga Puja in Bangalore<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLt77KSy4x2NWNE0YQjeZY1XuB3w_o1u9WKvvz_MXF7GfQnrMtKzgFxprNxn9dzdqdy7Trk0dzmwE96pAFdOlj2UP6EzP0NmR94ZSATLYdeX_BCrHOGZM9mV0JIItu-5cBCbGKE67nxM/s1600/durga-lakshmi-puja.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLt77KSy4x2NWNE0YQjeZY1XuB3w_o1u9WKvvz_MXF7GfQnrMtKzgFxprNxn9dzdqdy7Trk0dzmwE96pAFdOlj2UP6EzP0NmR94ZSATLYdeX_BCrHOGZM9mV0JIItu-5cBCbGKE67nxM/s640/durga-lakshmi-puja.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Durga Puja is an annual festival that celebrates worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. Durga Puja festival marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura. Thus, Durga Puja festival epitomizes the victory of Good over Evil. Durga Puja is widely celebrated across Indian, particularly in the states of Assam and West Bengal where it is a long annual holiday. Being born and brought up in Assam I can say confidently that just like the festival of Bihu, Durga puja is also secular in nature where people from all communities and walks of life participate.<br />
<br />
In Bangalore, every year the Bengali and Assamese associations work really hard for the togetherness and warmness of Durga Puja. As far as the Assamese cultural and community welfare organizations are concerned, the <a href="http://assamassociationbangalore.com/" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: blue;">Assam Association Bangalore</span></i></a> (AAB) is quite renowned. AAB is the nodal organization which binds and unites the entire community present in Bangalore together through various social, cultural and community welfare activities and initiatives throughout the year. The association takes great pride in creating initiatives which showcases the rich, varied and proud cultural legacy and heritage of Assam and in the process create a bridge of respect, harmony and bonhomie between the people of Assam and Karnataka by drawing similarities and parallels.<br />
<br />
Durga Puja celebration is such an extravaganza in Assam that I couldn’t avoid mentioning about it in my debut fiction novel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssem-SCO8ZE" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><i>Story of Tublu</i></span></a>. Located for a major part in the northeast of the country, the narrative is full of anthropological details of lives of people in that part of India some of which are well-known and some less known. <br />
<br />
An excerpt from Story of Tublu:<br />
<i><br />"Autumn has arrived and the town turned wonderful. The fragrance of jasmine and several wild blossoms drifted through the air from the rich flora all around. The weather was magnificent, and after the monsoon the tea garden looked refreshingly green and mesmeric. Maina arrived home and she looked different. She had become more beautiful and confident. In her new shoulder length haircut, she was looking more trendier than before. Tublu was delighted to see her, but he was also anxious and felt apprehensive about something.<br /><br />Durga puja holidays are always the best in this part of the world. All the schools and colleges remain closed for almost a couple of weeks. The puja celebration is simply amazing. It’s a very significant socio-cultural event and people prepare puja pandals all over the town. It’s a fabulous time for everyone and particularly youngsters, to hang out with friends. People come out on the streets in the evening, wearing their best possible outfits to experience the carnival. That’s the time when young hearts usually collide, leading to some beautiful bonding."</i><br />
<br />
<br />
This Autumn is going to be different. Well, I’m putting up a stall in the upcoming Durga puja fest organized by Assam Association Bangalore, where I will exhibit my debut book.<br />
<br />
Venue:<br />
<br />
Sir M Vishveshwaraya College Grounds Near Kemp Fort Mall,<br />
Murugeshpalya, Old (HAL) Airport Road, Bangalore-560017<br />
<br />
(18 - 22 October 2015)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><i><b>Grab a copy of my debut book Story of Tublu from Amazon or
Flipkart. It is a Contemporary Fiction novel, published by LiFi
Publications Pvt Ltd. The book has its share of drama, that entertains;
humor, that makes one reminisce; love, friendship and emotions that
defines the amazing journey that is, life. </b></i></i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.in/dp/9382536752/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.amazon.in/dp/9382536752/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCn7wnyZYPEZPbRN-ijtLcVGD-iIUiVajwSmpqTyi2vS83kn18-aJbrVoiKD1BpQc8VZYWvS-4TALHgvgqwn38fibW0de2IGtLIYPob0hgCmXX41Y4XFnFJvBVnzBnYpgf3oeHzmff_5s/s1600/buy_from_amazon.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flipkart.com/story-tublu-amazing-journey-called-life-english/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.flipkart.com/story-tublu-amazing-journey-called-life-english/p/itme5ykrc7zsntk5" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdg-tWC326EeCb71hDG30bpALi9Nz3D3LoNvVLSk5o70zETDLAFfFDNkt6wzVTa_oGSZskvE89UolfH0rOmBeADpbvnqBH_YUHWHPy62krN7IDHouAKeDIxY8YpQBSqVqjkMgWZ4YihY/s1600/buy_btn_flipkart.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
jahidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06097607781740943913noreply@blogger.com7